The Detroit Red Wings took care of a critical piece of business this week, re-signing star forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year, $91 million contract extension.
Now, the spotlight returns to Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson — and interim general manager Shawn Horcoff made his intentions clear on the latter on Wednesday afternoon.
“I have zero interest in trading Simon Edvinsson,” Horcoff told reporters, including The Athletic's Max Bultman. “Not something I’m entertaining. We want to sign him.”
After spending time in Sweden, Edvinsson headed back to North America this week, although his return does not necessarily signal a breakthrough in contract negotiations.
The 23-year-old emerged as one of Detroit's most important blueliners last season, recording 25 points in 72 games while assuming a top-four role. The former sixth overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft played out the final season of his entry-level contract in 2025-26.
Edvinsson attended training camp without a new deal but eventually returned to Sweden as negotiations remained stalled.
The drama surrounding the Red Wings has continued to snowball after the team missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a 10th consecutive season in the spring — the longest active drought in the National Hockey League.
Larkin requested a trade shortly afterward, and Steve Yzerman has since stepped down as general manager.
When the 2026-27 season began with Edvinsson still unsigned, reports that he preferred a trade further complicated matters for Detroit's front office.
Article Continues BelowNow, with DeBrincat locked up long-term, Horcoff remains focused on reaching a contract agreement with the young Swede rather than moving him elsewhere.
The noise has been too much for the Wings to overcome in the early going. Detroit is 1-3-2 and last in the Atlantic Division through its first six games.
Where the franchise goes from here remains the big question, and it'll be interesting to see whether there is a resolution, one way or another, before the end of October.
The Red Wings are back in action Thursday night, hosting the winless Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena.

