Simon Edvinsson Is Reportedly “Mad” at the Red Wings, Wanted Space

The Detroit Red Wings have a contract problem, and it may be bigger than one player. According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, defenseman Simon Edvinsson is frustrated by how long his negotiations have dragged on. Friedman says Edvinsson believed a deal would get done, and when it didn’t, he went back to Sweden. He reportedly made it clear he wanted some space.

“I just think he showed up […], but I think he believed it was going to get done, and when it didn’t get done, I heard he was pretty mad. He went back to Sweden, and I heard he made it clear, he kinda wanted to be left alone for a bit and had enough that it’s taken this long.”

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The Red Wings Walked Themselves Into This Problem

Friedman reported that, in the past, Detroit has simply refused to pay its players the big money some other teams have handed out. “I don’t know if that is a fair comment to make because Yzerman, when he was the GM […] He thought the money for the young players was too much too quickly. And he negotiated hard. He negotiated hard with Seider. He negotiated hard with Raymond. He negotiated hard with Larkin […] And he negotiated hard with Edvinsson.”

Perhaps realizing that they dropped the ball on this Edvinsson negotiation, Friedman reports that Detroit is now open to a longer-term contract. They were initially leaning toward a bridge deal. The team is believed to have made some longer term offers, though Friedman doesn’t expect a five-year term. He also suggested Detroit may not want both Edvinsson and Moritz Seider up for new deals in the same year.

The Red Wings still believe they can get a deal done. But Friedman says they have also started checking the market on the young blueliner, a notable development. I

The Larkin Connection

The most intriguing part of Friedman’s take is where it could lead. He speculated that an Edvinsson trade might change what Detroit could ask for in a Larkin deal. If the Red Wings were after a specific return they couldn’t get for Larkin, Edvinsson might fetch it instead. Moving both players, Friedman suggested, could give Detroit the chance to “really remake” the team.

For now, nothing is final. Edvinsson remains unsigned; Detroit says it’s still working toward an agreement, and them looking around the market is not an indication they’ve decided to trade the player. That’s true, even if it is his preference now.

That said, a frustrated player is not a good thing. The front office is weighing its options.