Simon Edvinsson, just 23 years old, apparently wants out of Detroit. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported late on Saturday, October 3, that Edvinsson has asked the Red Wings for a trade, following in the footsteps of Dylan Larkin who also wanted out previously. If this isn’t a gut punch for a fanbase already reeling, I don’t know what is.
The Big Ask and The Awkward Silence
This whole situation is a mess, right? Edvinsson’s agent, J.P. Barry, isn’t saying a word, which honestly, tells you everything you need to know about how tense things are behind the scenes. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff was out there Friday, just hours before the season opener, trying to sound positive, saying that signing the restricted free agent was a “priority.” He said, “We’re doing everything we can, working closely with the agents,” and “He’s a big part of the club and we’d like to get him signed.” But what good are those words now when Friedman drops a bomb like this? Clearly, what the front office is doing isn’t enough, or at least it isn’t making Edvinsson happy.
Why This Blueliner Is So Crucial For Detroit
Let’s be real, Edvinsson isn’t just some guy. He’s a legit talent, an anchor in their top four defense corps, a 6-foot-6, 200-plus pound blueliner who was drafted No. 6 overall in 2021. The dude put up 25 points, with nine goals and 16 assists, in his second full NHL season just last year in 2025-26. That’s solid production. He even went the extra mile to get insurance just so he could join the Wings during training camp. He practiced and skated daily, showing up even without a contract. But then, when the exhibition season ended and still no deal was done, he just packed up and went back to his native Sweden. Horcoff admitted Friday he “didn’t expect that,” and that it was “disappointing.” You think? That’s not a good sign when your key RFA is jetting across the globe because you can’t get a deal done. The travel distance and time change alone scream that these two sides are nowhere close.
The Disaster In Detroit Continues
This trade request just pours gasoline on an already raging fire in Detroit. Their season opener? A dismal 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers, where fans were chanting “sell the team” at owner Chris Ilitch. Can you blame them? This summer started with Dylan Larkin, after 11 years, wanting out. Then Steve Yzerman, the GM, was gone in mid-July. And now, the failure to sign Edvinsson before camp, leading to him asking for a trade. It’s a full-blown meltdown, and it’s happening right as the season kicks off. They’ve got to turn this around, and fast.
The Wings get back on the ice Sunday at 1 p.m. DSN against the Winnipeg Jets. What’s at stake? Maybe just the entire direction of their franchise if they can’t figure out how to stop the bleeding.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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