The Simon Edvinsson situation has reached a point where it has become unsustainable for the Detroit Red Wings.
But if there’s anyone to blame for not just Edvinsson, but Dylan Larkin as well, it’s Steve Yzerman.
At least, that’s what insider Elliotte Friedman alluded to in the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
On the show, Friedman discussed Simon Edvinsson’s preference to be traded, with the notable insider making it clear that the situation falls squarely on Yzerman’s shoulders.
“I reported that their (Red Wings) preference was a bridge. That was certainly the case when Yzerman was still in charge. And the one thing is there’s a lot of talk about Detroit doesn’t want to pay anyone.”
The comment focused on the fact that, according to Friedman, Yzerman felt that too many young players were too much money too soon.
“He thought the money for the young players was too much too quickly. And he negotiated hard.”
That approach marked the contract negotiations with several current players, including Larkin, eventually spilling over to the Simon Edvinsson debacle.
“He negotiated hard with Seider… He negotiated hard with Raymond. He negotiated hard with Larkin, even in Larkin’s deal that led up to unrestricted free agency where he extended. And he negotiated hard with Edvinsson.”
Friedman drilled down on the point by reiterating Yzerman’s position.
“When Yzerman was in charge, he, one of the things he strongly felt was it was too much too soon for them, and he fought them hard.”
It was that hardline approach that reportedly created the animosity between Larkin and Yzerman, which led to the initial trade request. Similarly, it seems that Yzerman’s negotiating tactics ultimately created the Simon Edvinsson situation.
Edvinsson situation not entirely Yzerman’s fault
Yes, Yzerman has a major hand in everything that has transpired with Simon Edvinsson. He couldn’t get a deal done in time, and, well, the can just got kicked down the road.
But there’s also a massive share of this entire situation on the organization’s hands. The organization took forever to find some sort of resolution to the vacant GM role. And even then, the team did not name a formal replacement for Yzerman.
While Shawn Horcoff is now at the helm, at least on an interim basis, the fact of the matter is that the mess over the summer led to this situation.
You would have to think that, had the Red Wings named Horcoff months ago, an Edvinsson extension would have been done.
Instead, the organization took its sweet time and allowed the situation to fester to the degree that it has. The overall issue has become so unsustainable that there is little path forward but a trade. Even then, there’s no guarantee that this won’t become a prolonged, agonizing matter that could derail the Red Wings’ season.
Ultimately, as much as the Larkin and Edvinsson situations are Yzerman’s doing, the entire organization is to blame for the debacle. The hope is that there could be a resolution in which all sides come away satisfied.
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