The 25-year-old has recently returned from seven months out with a back problem, and his call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria gives him the chance to feature for the first time under Speed, having missed the last seven Wales internationals.
The atmosphere in the camp is a far cry from spells of Toshack's tenure, when several senior players voiced their displeasure at the manager's methods.
There were encouraging signs that the Dragons are moving in the right direction under Speed as they beat qualification contenders Montenegro before suffering a narrow defeat to England last month, and Edwards says he has returned to find a squad enjoying their football.
He said: "I've noticed there is a real air of confidence among the boys and there is a buzz around the place over what they achieved in the last two qualifiers.
"A lot of the work they have been doing behind the scenes came to fruition in those two games. Against England there was a good performance, and it was an excellent win over Montenegro. We want to follow that up with good results against Switzerland and Bulgaria.
"It's very different in camp, the manager's ideas are different to the previous manager and, as I say, the boys have an air of confidence and are enjoying themselves."
Edwards, who has 22 caps to his name, also believes that former Sheffield United boss Speed has brought a greater degree of professionalism to the national squad, particularly in terms of the off-field support available to the players.
He said: "I have had very good first impressions of working with Gary Speed, he has fresh ideas and the sport science side of things has been very good.
"The people the manager has got in are geared towards giving the players everything they need. When you come off the training pitch if you need a massage, or time in the gym, it's there for you, so it is very professional.
"On the pitch he wants to play the right way, move the ball quickly into forward areas and hopefully it's something I can be involved in."
With Celtic's Joe Ledley having withdrawn from the squad for the double-header due to injury there is a midfield slot up for grabs against the Swiss in Swansea on Friday, but Edwards will just be happy to get any game time in a red shirt after revealing some of the lows of his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"It's great to be back and to be part of a Wales squad," he said. "It's been a long seven months and I had some dark and depressing times in those seven months. I have been training for six weeks and it's nice to come through sessions feeling good.
"It was a really difficult time when I was injured, I had to get away from football in my head, I was at the training ground a lot and it was horrible watching the boys, so I spent a lot of time with my little boy and my fiancee and it took my mind off it.
"I'm glad to be back, I am just here to train hard and if I get some minutes I will be delighted."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk