It seems like there's a new update on Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson every day.
Whether it's conflicting reports or a frustrating rehash of the situation, it seems like the Detroit Red Wings keep getting media attention for all the wrong reasons.
As of right now, the Red Wings are navigating two stalemates: one with Simon Edvinsson's contract extension, and the other with Dylan Larkin's trade request. Both seem to have stalled out in recent weeks. Both have invited a feedback loop of sorts with information circulating and recirculating among insiders.
This time around, Elliotte Friedman of the 32 Thoughts Podcast has some updates regarding Larkin and Edvinsson -- some good, some more of the same.
Where the Red Wings are with Edvinsson
By far the most interesting update comes from what Friedman has heard regarding Edvinsson. When last we left off, Edvinsson had mentioned he would "prefer" a trade out of Detroit. In his most recent press conference, interim GM Shawn Horcoff stated that he has "zero interest" in trading Edvinsson.
"I want to keep him," Horcoff added. "Nothing's changed on my part. Simon is someone really hard to come by. We developed him, we drafted him...he's a player that we value here."
Friedman appears to be on the same page as Horcoff, though his words come with additional praise for the interim GM. "You look at Horcoff now [following the DeBrincat extension] and know he has juice. He has the ability to close deals...he does not want to trade Edvinsson."
Continuing, Friedman compares Edvinsson's situation to his own contract negotiating this offseason, noting that he, too, felt a lot of frustration during his own process. "I think that's kind of where Edvinsson is right now," Friedman added. "I've heard that this one has just taken so long that he's super frustrated and he's at a point where it's not as easy as sleeping on it. There's been too many sleeps. Until he decides he's going to change his mind...he's there. "
"So what it sounds like right now is it's clear that they would much rather have him than not have him. I've been told by multiple people that Horcoff thinks really highly of Edvinsson."
In other words: Horcoff wants Edvinsson, but the prolonged negotiations have left Edvinsson very frustrated -- and understandably so. With that said, however, it seems like both parties are getting closer towards finally getting something done.
An update on Dylan Larkin
On the other side of things, Dylan Larkin's recent trip to Montreal appears to have changed some things for the disgruntled ex-captain.
"I do think what happened in Montreal slightly changed the equation. I just don't know if it's enough. It didn't hurt. I just feel that if you're a Red Wing you feel a little bit better today than you did the other day."
When asked to elaborate further, Friedman left Red Wings fans with more questions than answers.
"At this point in time, there's not a list that says he'll go to Montreal...but with a couple more days to think about it, I think he was really pleasantly surprised by the reaction to him. But it hasn't changed far enough yet for it to mean anything actionable."
Perhaps this is the first crack in the dam that is Larkin's trade list. Larkin's next game against the Habs takes place on February 18, 2027. In an ideal world, Larkin finds a new home before then. But, if his hopes are set on Montreal, fans will need to wait until then for Habs fans to make another case for him.
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