Teach a Man to Fish: How Jeff Petry’s Impact on Red Wings Extends Past His Own Play

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Jeff Petry and Simon Edvinsson went fishing Friday after skating at Red Wings training camp. Just two guys hitting the water after work — staple of a Midwestern weekend. It’s also a major moment for two teammates to further connect.

Don’t overlook the difference between those two in age. The 15-year headstart that 36-year-old Petry has on Edvinsson is a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, and Petry is a willing teacher. At this point in his career, Petry isn’t the same top four workhorse as in the prime of his 14-year NHLer. But, his experience and expertise borne from nearly 1,000 career games is something that his younger peers — or call them proteges — can learn from.

“He’s a great guy,” Edvinsson praised Friday. “We have a really good connection, both on the ice and off the ice. Of course, it’s more to build on, but I feel we can get a really, really good connection between us two and complement each other pretty good.”

Petry has taken Edvinsson under his wing both on and off the ice. After playing together last training camp, the two united in Edvinsson’s 14-game call-up to end last season. They’ve also gone to dinner together, and of course, they’re going fishing together.

Those opportunities all allow Petry to mentor his defense partner, which is something Detroit coach Derek Lalonde wants to see.

“Jeff’s seen everything and then some, every situation” Lalonde said Friday. “He could be a perfect mentor in that relationship.”

But Petry and Edvinsson’s relationship isn’t defined as the dynamic of a teacher and student. Rather, they’re two teammates and friends who happen to have a lot of similar thoughts on the game, at least according to Edvinsson. And in those moments where the two connect, Edvinsson benefits from all the advice and experience of his defense partner.

“It’s just those small things that give you good connection with your partner,” Edvinsson said. “I think, of course we talk a lot on the ice — what we can do better, what we can do different. We don’t seek it, we just feel the same thing, and that’s what good to have.”

[Read More: "If He Earns More Minutes, He'll Get More Minutes": Red Wings Ready for Big Year from Edvinsson]

Take training camp lineups with their proper grain of salt, but Edvinsson has been stuck on Petry’s hip since they both graced the same roster. In training camp this week, Edvinsson and Petry have been consistently chatting together, swapping information as camp has progressed.

As much as this combination is a product of both their place in the lineup and the capacity for Petry to raise a rookie, they’re also an effective defense pairing. Among pairings that played 200 minutes or more together last season, the Edvinsson-Petry duo finished last season with the highest expected goals per 60 (2.95) among all the Red Wings’ pairings according to Moneypuck. In terms of expected goals percentage, they ranked first at 54.7%. And in terms of shot attempts, their 48.1% Corsi ranked second. They’re an exceedingly solid pairing, beyond just Petry’s mentorship.

Outside of pure statistical outcomes, the pairing checks a lot of the boxes that the coaching staff wants from them. Lalonde particularly likes the combination of size between the 6-foot-6 Edvinsson and the 6-foot-3 Petry. They were the tallest combination among last season’s more frequent pairings. Lalonde also notices that Petry’s style of play benefits a young player like Edvinsson while he adjusts to the league.

“(Petry) can be pretty easy to play off at times, pretty simple, pretty predictable,” Lalonde explained. “That’s the vision, and where he’s starting today.”

That last part reads non-commital to using both players together all season. This might stem from a different envisioned usage. Lalonde did say he anticipates using Edvinsson in the top four, eating up lots of minutes. Menawhile Petry — who played in the top four most of last season but showed inconsistency when given an expanded role — might not be cut out for that assignment at this point. While chemistry and familiarity support keeping the duo together, the needs of the overall blue line might separate them at times. Lalonde believes his top four will be fluid, with a variety of combinations throughout the season.

“Whoever can give us minutes to win, they’re gonna get those minutes,” Lalonde said. “You see a little bit last year. A D man might get 15 or 16 (minutes) on night and then the next night is in 18 or low 20s. It’s just our vision right now.”

For now, Petry and Edvinsson are together, and the elder statesman can impart his knowledge on a young protege. Whether they’re casting lines in the water or shutting them down on the ice, so long as they’re together, Petry can keep teaching Edvinsson his wisdom.

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