It looks like another member of the Detroit Red Wings’ core is leaning toward getting out.
Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that defenseman Simon Edvinsson would prefer that the Red Wings trade him. Friedman reported this news during Sportsnet’s Saturday Night Hockey broadcast.
Saturday Headlines:
Edvinsson “prefers” trade although DET’s desire is to sign him…Barkov…Oilers…coaches warned about interactions with officialshttps://t.co/koTYiu5bCr
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 4, 2026
Edvinsson, 23, is a restricted free agent. Without a contract as the NHL regular season opened, he returned home to his native Sweden. He’s been skating with his old SHL club, Frolunda, while awaiting resolution to his contract situation.
Word in NHL circles is that the Red Wings and Edvinsson’s camp are far apart in what each side is seeking in a new contract.
Red Wings interim GM Shawn Horcoff spoke to reporters before Friday’s season-opening 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers. He described signing Edvinsson as a priority for the team.
“We’re doing everything [we] can, working closely with [Edvinsson’s] agents,” Horcoff said. “He’s a big part of our club, and we’d like to get him signed.”
Both sides have agreed to keep details of the negotiating process out of the spotlight of the media. However, Friedman reported that currently, the two camps are not talking.
During the summer, then Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin filed a formal trade request with the club. He remains with the team as they seek to work out a deal with another NHL team. Larkin, who has a no-movement clause in his contract, has provided Red Wings management with a list of teams to which he’d accept a trade.
Red Players Supporting Their Teammate
While Edvinsson idles in Sweden, awaiting a contract resolution, his Detroit teammates are sending positive vibes in his direction.
“I went through it a couple years ago with signing your first real deal, I guess it is,” Detroit forward Lucas Raymond said. “So I think it takes patience.
Simon Edvinsson was not at Red Wings practice. The unsigned restricted free agent was seen skating with Frölunda, his former team in Sweden.
Teammates Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider expressed support, with head coach Todd McLellan emphasizing focus on Friday’s season opener. pic.twitter.com/JaIYhYVpUE
— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) September 30, 2026
“I think Simon’s a hell of a player. He’s really good for our team, so we’d love to have him here, but at the same time, it’s the business side of it.”
Minus Edvinsson, Albert Johansson is slotting into his spot in the top defensive pairing alongside Moritz Seider. Still, there’s nothing Johansson wants more for the team than to see Edvinsson sign his name on the dotted line and return to the Detroit lineup.
“We support him and of course hope that he will come to a solution as soon as possible,” Johansson told Swedish website Expressen. “He is incredibly important to our team.
“It is clear that we want him with us. We just hope that they will come to an agreement soon and that he can come back.”
Bob Duff has worked in the sports media industry since 1984 and covered the Red Wings since 1988. As … More about Bob Duff