Detroit Red Wings respond to Simon Edvinsson's trade request

Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet's Saturday Headlines that Edvinsson prefers a trade, while stressing that the club and the player's agents are not currently speaking.

Detroit's message to the rest of the league, however, has not changed.

The gap appears to be about years, not just dollars. Pagnotta and Marek have reported that Edvinsson is seeking either a two-year deal or the maximum seven, while Detroit leans toward a bridge contract.

Friedman noted that Edvinsson went back to Sweden, where he is currently skating.

Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff previously called Edvinsson a big part of the club and an organizational priority, so the message to other teams matches what Detroit has said publicly.

It also protects the Red Wings' leverage. As a restricted free agent, Edvinsson remains tied to Detroit's rights, which means any outside interest has to go through a trade.

The 23-year-old, drafted sixth overall in 2021, scored nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season and has grown into a top-pair partner for Moritz Seider. That production explains why rival executives would be calling.

If no contract is signed by December 1, and he has not been moved in a sign-and-trade, Edvinsson cannot play this season.

The Red Wings opened their schedule Friday against the Rangers and are already dealing with Dylan Larkin's trade saga. Losing a second core player in one season would be a heavy blow.

For now, Detroit's position is clear: the door to a deal is still open. The question is whether Edvinsson softens on term or the Red Wings stretch beyond a bridge.

Until one side moves, expect rival teams to keep asking questions, and expect Detroit to keep giving the same answer.

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