Two Detroit Red Wings third-round draft picks are hoping to revive their NHL dreams via a detour to Sweden’s SHL.

Defenseman Seth Barton, Detroit’s 81st overall selection in the 2018 NHL entry draft, is playing his first season in Malmö. Among his teammates with the Redhawks will be Eemil Viro. Viro, chosen 70th overall by the Red Wings in the 2020 draft, inked a deal with Malmö earlier in the offseason.

Seth Barton(27) scores well @smliiga and moves it over to @SHLse, signing for 2025/2026 @Malmo_Redhawks https://t.co/K5xDNHzePt the former @RiverHawkHockey is doing well for himself overseas pic.twitter.com/r0G1QhvUQ5

— collegehockeyplayers (@collegehockeypp) August 25, 2025

Viro and Barton were also teammates in 2022-23 with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and the ECHL Toledo Walleye.

A restricted free agent, Detroit opted to qualify Viro to retain his NHL rights. Detroit no longer holds Barton’s rights. He spent the past two seasons in Finland’s SM-liiga with KooKoo.

“I wanted to broaden my opportunities and find my spark again,” Barton told Swedish website Sydsvenskan as his reason for joining Malmö.

Red Wings Pick Wants To Be Hard To Play Against

Barton plans to bring to Malmö the same type of qualities that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman admits he is seeking to add to his club. That would be the element of sandpaper, of striking an imposing presence on the ice.

“I want to be difficult to play against,” Barton said. “Physicality is an important part of my game. I think that’s a big reason why I was signed.

“Opponents shouldn’t want to go into the corners with me.”

Little bitty scuffle between Seth Barton and Justin Richards.

Barton doesn’t like it when people get too close to his goaltender. #CLEMonsters #GOGRG @FPC_AHL pic.twitter.com/cXmGPvMWoD

— Elaine Shircliff (@imaraindancer) March 8, 2023

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound right-shot defenseman is also intending to be the type of blueliner that his team can be counting on in any scenario.

“I want to be the one used in difficult situations, both in defense and when we chase goals, and contribute with a good attitude in the locker room,” Barton said.

Barton counts Duncan Keith, Victor Hedman, and Red Wings icon Nicklas Lidstrom as defensemen he holds in the highest esteem. However, naming his all-time favorite rearguard is challenging.

“That’s a tough choice,” Barton said. “Over the past few years, it’s definitely been Victor Hedman.

“Tampa Bay was one of my favorite teams growing up, and just the way he skates, the way he handles himself in both zones, I look up to him, that’s for sure.”