Sportsnet’s Luke Fox makes an…unusual argument…while discussing the most notable unsigned restricted free agents remaining on the marketplace, suggesting that the Red Wings may lose restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson’s services due to their front office turmoil:
Age: 23
Position: Defence
2025-26 salary cap hit: $894,167
Arbitration rights: NoBargaining chips: Top-pair defenceman on one of the NHL’s best duos. Wonderful complement to franchise stud Moritz Seider. Sixth-overall pick. World juniors and world championships medallist.
The latest: Early in the season, when the Detroit Red Wings explored a potential trade for Quinn Hughes out of Vancouver, the Canucks’ asked for a package that included Edvinsson in return, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
That former Wings GM Steve Yzerman said no should tell you all you need to know about how highly the organization thinks of the big Swede. Logging 22-plus minutes a night while contributing at both ends of the ice, tilting it against matchups against the league’s top forward lines, Edvinsson has positioned himself worthy of a max-term, life-changing contract extension. Think LaCombe in Anaheim (eight years, $78 million) or Luke Hughes in New Jersey (seven years, $63 million).
When the season ended, Edvinsson said “of course” he’d sign a long-term pact.
“It’s where I got drafted. I felt like ever since I came here, it’s been great. All the people around, teammates, fans around, it’s been great,” he told reporters on April 17. So, yeah, it would be an honour.”
The Red Wings would be wise not to mess around with a bridge — nor Edvinsson’s chemistry with Seider.
“We’re two big bodies. We cover a lot of space out there. He’s a great skater,” Seider said. “Puts his body on the line every single night. Blocks a lot of shots. Rarely gets out of position. We’ve been clicking, obviously. Very effective for us. And, yeah, just feel good out there with him.”
The Cup-winning Hurricanes, who failed to lock up John Carlson (Tampa Bay), are rumoured to be entertaining an offer sheet for Edvinsson as they seek to tweak their blueline. With Yzerman stepping back and Detroit’s front office in flux, the Edvinsson file may be in a vulnerable place.
Continued; see also, “NO.” The Red Wings’ front office may be in a transitory place right now, but they’re not stupid enough to lose Simon Edvinsson to an offer sheet. That’s a bit of a reach.
