Red Wings GM Has "Zero Interest" in Trading Unsigned Star Simon Edvinsson

The Detroit Red Wings have no intention of solving their Simon Edvinsson contract standoff with a trade, interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said Wednesday.

"I have zero interest in trading Simon Edvinsson and I want to keep him at home," Horcoff told the Detroit Free Press after the club finalized a seven-year, $91 million extension for forward Alex DeBrincat. "Nothing's changed on my part. I think Simon is someone that's very hard to come by. We've spent a lot of time developing him. We drafted him. So, it's not something I'm entertaining. We want to sign Simon and hopefully get that done."

Edvinsson, 23, remains a restricted free agent without a contract more than two weeks into the season. The 6-foot-6 Swede, drafted sixth overall in 2021, posted nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season and has become one of Detroit's most important young players. He attended training camp without a deal in a show of good faith, then returned to Sweden in late September before coming back to North America to continue training while talks stall.

The market for Edvinsson is real: TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported last week that at least ten teams, including the Boston Bruins, have inquired about his availability, and Elliotte Friedman reported that the defenseman would prefer a trade. Detroit's most recent offer is believed to be in the range of $8.5 million per year over six years — below market for a top-pair defenseman in a rising cap environment, where comparables like Zeev Buium's $9.3 million-per-year extension set a steep bar.

The clock is ticking: the two sides have until Dec. 1 to reach a deal, after which Edvinsson would be ineligible to play in the NHL this season.