The single most frustrating thing about the Detroit Red Wings isn't the roster, nor is it their 1-2-0 record. It isn't even their disgruntled ex-captain and his ever-looming trade request.
It's that so many of the Red Wings' problems are solvable and yet the organization insists on dragging their feet at every opportunity.
Take Simon Edvinsson, for example. The young defenseman is (or was) clearly interested in signing a long-term extension with the team. Edvinsson and his agent spent all offseason unsure who to speak to regarding an extension. He showed up to training camp on a tryout and paid for his own insurance out of pocket. He accepted any and all potential injury risks in good faith, hoping that the team would be able to iron out a deal.
What he got in return was a prolonged contract negotiation that's bled into the regular season.
Now, months later, he still doesn't have a contract. He's even floated the idea of a trade.
It's hard to blame him. It's even harder to understand the holdup.
3 problems the Red Wings could easily solve in 2026
There are three issues the Red Wings could iron out quite quickly if they're hoping to get a hold of things. The first (and most obvious, of course) is signing Edvinsson. If the issue revolves around a few thousand dollars, the Red Wings should just acquiesce as a gesture of good faith. Sooner or later, Horcoff (or whoever takes over the Red Wings from here) will have to negotiate with agent J.P. Barry again. In order to keep things positive, it's best if both sides come to an agreement.
The second is slightly more complex - and might not even get solved right away - but, at the very least, the team needs to lay the groundwork on it. Once the Edvinsson business is sorted, the team needs to meet with Alex DeBrincat to determine his future with the Red Wings. In July, DeBrincat stated that he wants to stay with the Red Wings.
But that was July. Now, three months later, quite a bit has changed. If DeBrincat doesn't see himself as part of the future here, both he and the Red Wings need to be on the same page moving forward. They can hammer out contract details throughout hte season, of course, but if he doesn't want to be here, the team needs to prepare for a reailty in which they trade their best forward.
Last, but certainly not least, the team and Larkin need to get on the same page.
It's clear that he hasn't budged on his trade request, but Tuesday's night's game showed that Larkin is dedicated toward taking it one game at a time. If rumors are believed to be true, the disgruntled ex-captain has since expanded his trade list and is open to going to a larger number of candidates. This is the perfect opportunity for the front office to work with him to find an ideal partner and end this on amicable terms.
All of this, of course, requires a competency we have yet to see from the front office or ownership.
In order to solve the problems facing this organization, the Red Wings need to get out of their own way.
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