The Detroit Red Wings have three weeks left to sign restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson. If they don't, he'll be ineligible to play in the NHL this season.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this will come to pass -- at least for the Red Wings.
Elliotte Friedman revealed on NHL Now that Simon Edvinsson is adamant that he won't play for the Red Wings any longer.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Simon Edvinsson/Red Wings: He's been very adamant he won't play for them again, and Detroit seems like okay, if we have to wait this down to December 1st to test your resolve, we will - NHL Now (11/6)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 8, 2026
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NHLRR: December 1st is the last day Edvinsson can…
While the Dylan Larkin story has its own share of headaches, nothing has been remotely as frustrating as the Edvinsson situation. The young Swedish defenseman came to camp without a contract, took out his own insurance plan and patiently waited for his chance at an extension. In return, he got lowball offers, a lack of communication and an overall discombobulated experience.
It's left Edvinsson so frustrated that, now, he wants off the team and there's little runway for him to return.
Red Wings have a few options to reconcile this
If what Friedman says is true and Edvinsson truly doesn't want to rejoin the Red Wings, the team needs to recoup as much as it can possibly get. If rumors are believed to be true, the San Jose Sharks are the leading suitors in the Edvinsson sweepstakes. They've got no shortage of top talent. Whether the team is looking at a first line center like Michael Misa or high-end potential like Igor Chernyshov, there's a lot to like about what the Sharks have in their pool.
The question is what the Sharks are willing to part with, of course, but Misa would immediately provide the Red Wings with a top line center for the long term.
Beyond the Sharks, teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken have all checked in on Edvinsson. Some have pitched offers, while others have simply done their due diligence.
Each team has their own respective assets they could recoup, but the top suitor should remain the Sharks. Getting a player like Misa is imperative to setting up the team for long term success. Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has his work cut out for him here. Succeed, and he'll be the architect for the retool. Fail, and he'll set the organization back for years to come.
No pressure, right?
Red Wings need to sort this out as soon as possible
The clock is ticking on an Edvinsson deal. While rumors have swirled around the Red Wings' asking price for the defenseman, sooner or later, a deal has to get done. While he's very much a commodity, the lack of runway around this deal should put a lot of pressure on the front office.
That said, they shouldn't feel the need to take what they can get and run. Edvinsson is still a young top-pairing defenseman set to sign a massive deal. He's got more than enough potential to be a difference-maker on a team. Thus, it's entirely reasonable for interim GM Shawn Horcoff to ask for a fair price.
A Simon Edvinsson deal will get done this month. The question on where - and for what - remains.
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