Red Wings Swedes Involved in Bloody Incidents

Edvinsson leaves Tkachuk, Cozens bloodied, while Johansson takes high stick to the face

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Two Swedish defensemen connected to the Detroit Red Wings were involved in separate incidents on Thursday that left players with bloodied faces. Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson was involved in collisions that left Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and center Dylan Cozens with bloody faces, while Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson was high-sticked in the face while playing for Leksand IF in the Swedish Hockey League, leaving him bleeding profusely.

Why it matters

The incidents highlight the physical and aggressive style of play that Edvinsson and Johansson are known for, which could serve them well as they look to make the jump to the NHL with the Red Wings. However, the bloody outcomes also raise questions about player safety and discipline in professional hockey.

The details

In the game between the Red Wings and Senators, Edvinsson left Tkachuk with a bloodied face after a collision inside the Ottawa blueline. Cozens then challenged Edvinsson to a fight and also came out second best from mixing it up with the 6-foot-6, 222-pound Swede. Tkachuk and Edvinsson later engaged in a shouting match while in their respective penalty boxes. Meanwhile, in Sweden, Johansson was high-sticked in the face by Emil Alba while playing for Leksand IF, leaving him bleeding profusely from the nose and face.

  • On February 27, 2026, Edvinsson was involved in incidents that left Tkachuk and Cozens bloodied during a game between the Red Wings and Senators.
  • On the same day, Johansson was high-sticked in the face while playing for Leksand IF in the Swedish Hockey League.

The players

Simon Edvinsson

A defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings known for his physical and aggressive style of play.

Brady Tkachuk

The captain of the Ottawa Senators, who was left with a bloodied face after a collision with Edvinsson.

Dylan Cozens

A center for the Ottawa Senators, who challenged Edvinsson to a fight and also came out second best from mixing it up with the Red Wings defenseman.

Anton Johansson

A defense prospect for the Detroit Red Wings, who was high-sticked in the face while playing for Leksand IF in the Swedish Hockey League, leaving him bleeding profusely.

Emil Alba

A player for Färjestad who high-sticked Johansson in the face during the SHL game.

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What they’re saying

“Well, that's in his toolbox, and he's got to use everything he has, and he used it.”

— Todd McLellan, Red Wings coach (detroithockeynow.com)

“He is bleeding profusely. Hope it went well with the teeth. He's bleeding a lot.”

— Stefan Klemetz, TV4 commentator (Expressen)

What’s next

It's expected that Johansson will be reporting to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins once his Swedish season concludes.

The takeaway

The incidents involving Edvinsson and Johansson highlight the physical and aggressive style of play that these young Swedish defensemen are known for, which could serve them well as they look to make the jump to the NHL with the Red Wings. However, the bloody outcomes also raise questions about player safety and discipline in professional hockey.