The Detroit Red Wings continue to deal with two frustrated players seeking a change of scenery. One is Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade at the end of last season, and the other is unsigned restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson.
Larkin expanded his trade list from three teams to 10 teams. That remains at a standstill, given what GM Shawn Horcoff wants in return. They want players in return that can keep the Red Wings competitive. We know the Minnesota Wild are trying to acquire him, as they currently have the best package on the table.
However, there appears to be no resolution in sight right now, as both parties are firmly dug in. Detroit hopes that after things cool down from Larkin’s departure, they can work together to find a trade partner and package that satisfies their needs.
Meanwhile, Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned and is training down in Nashville. It is another situation that has gone on too long. However, unlike Larkin, who has no real deadline, Edvinsson needs to be signed by December 1st at 5 pm or else he can’t play in the NHL.
As Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio says, this is a game of poker to see which party folds first.
“Shawn Horcoff at the GMs meeting said that status quo. I mean the Edvinsson one, The deadline is staring us right in the face. It’s 16-17 days away. So that one, I think there has to be, unless we’re playing poker and we’re taking this right down to the end,” Friedman said. “There are a lot of people who seem to think that the Red Wings will, if they want, if the Red Wings feel that we have to test him to see if his resolve is real, they’ll do it. But unless we’re taking this right down to the end, then they have no choice but to really think about getting that one done.”
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The sixth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft wanted to remain with the Detroit Red Wings long-term until contract negotiations went south. He felt that he was undervalued by the team and the previous administration. While he did receive a seven-year contract offer at $8.5 million AAV, Edvinsson felt he was worth more, given that Zeev Buium got $9.38 million AAV on an eight-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
As documented on Full Press Hockey, these contract negotiations have been a process. His agent didn’t know who to speak with after Steve Yzerman was let go. Things never got off the ground and started again until Horcoff was given full GM duties back in September.
Edvinsson, who was eligible for an offer sheet, did not sign one because he wanted to get a deal done in Detroit. But things changed after training camp. He showed up to training camp under his own insurance against the advice of others. But once nothing was done, he went back to Sweden to train before returning to the States.
It is an astronomical asking price from Horcoff and the Red Wings to acquire Simon Edvinsson. They are looking for a young center or other young players in return. As mentioned on Nashville Sports Radio, not only does the acquiring team have to give up the assets for him; they have to pay him.
But again, from what I’m hearing around the league, Detroit’s asking price is astronomically high. Not to mention, again, Simon Edvinsson, the reports are he wants $10 million to $11 million AAV. I do wonder if that’s the Detroit price tag, and I wonder if he gets to Nashville. They give him $9.5 million, and he says, “Okay, let’s make a deal,” as mentioned on Nashville Sports Radio.
Again, it is a race against the clock for the Detroit Red Wings, who prefer to sign him. Horcoff doesn’t want to trade him, but teams like the Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Utah Mammoth, and others have shown interest.
Not to mention, if Edvinsson isn’t signed before the December 1st 5 pm deadline, he can’t play in the NHL this season. There is a really strong chance he goes back to Sweden to play so he doesn’t lose a year of playing hockey.
It truly comes down to who blinks first, but it appears Simon Edvinsson is dug in and not budging. It will be interesting to see what happens as the deadline approaches.
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