What Happened
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during Saturday Night Hockey that restricted free agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson prefers a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. Neither the team nor Edvinsson's agent has commented on the situation, according to Friedman. The report comes one day after Detroit opened its season with a loss to the New York Rangers. Edvinsson, who was seen practising in his native Sweden on Wednesday, remains unsigned.
Key Details
- Edvinsson, 23, is a six-foot-six, left-shot defenceman drafted sixth overall by Detroit in 2021.
- He posted 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in his second full NHL season in 2025-26.
- Interim GM Shawn Horcoff said Friday that Edvinsson remains a priority for the club.
- Horcoff said the team is working closely with Edvinsson's agents and will keep negotiation details private.
- Detroit opened its season with a loss to the New York Rangers.
What It Means
Detroit faces a stalled negotiation with a young, high-pedigree defenceman who was a top-10 pick and a regular on its blue line. An unsigned restricted free agent requesting a trade adds pressure on interim GM Shawn Horcoff, who has publicly called Edvinsson a priority while keeping talks private. The standoff leaves the Red Wings without a key defender as the season begins.
What's Next
Detroit must decide whether to continue negotiating or explore a trade for Edvinsson, who is practising in Sweden while unsigned. Neither the club nor his agent has addressed the report publicly.