Even without a contract, Simon Edvinsson wanted to come to the Detroit Red Wings training camp. He felt it was the right thing to do.
“We are going into a new season where it’s important that everyone is linked together,” Edvinsson said. “. . . Everybody needs to be on the same page.”
But the optimism of that decision is now lost by the fact the season starts in two days and Edvinsson does not have a new deal. Not knowing what will happen, Edvinsson returned to Sweden and is practicing with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League.
“It takes as long as it needs to take.” Edvinsson’s agent Peter Werner said. “It is an ongoing negotiation that is ongoing. “
Reports say Edvinsson wants a long-term deal and the Red Wings were looking for the shorter bridge deal. With the way salaries escalated this summer, projections have Edvinsson in line to get $9.5 million to $10 million on a long-term deal.
Longer Seems Better
Unless Edvinsson’s long-term salary ask is off the chart, it’s hard to appreciate why the Red Wings would prefer a shorter deal. The 6-foot-6 defenseman is already a top pairing two-way defenseman. With the salary cap rising by a projected $23.5 million over the next two seasons, Edvinsson’s salary likely would be significantly higher after a short-term expires.
Right now, it’s a bad look for a Red Wings organization that has looked disorganized this summer during a search for a GM. Having Edvinsson go home to Sweden isn’t what the Red Wings need, given their desire to restore their previous status of being a desirable destination for free agents.
It’s been clear recently that players, especially free agents, do not look favorably on Detroit. The Red Wings 10-year playoff drought plays a major role in that, but Detroit also has a reputation of being a difficult team when it comes to contract negotiations.
It would make sense for the Red Wings to get Edvinsson re-signed quickly, at market prices, and then immediately re-sign Alex DeBrincat with an offer that provides him with a salary commensurate with the salaries earned by other proven NHL scorers.
According to Expressen, the last significant Swedish player to end up back in Sweden while negotiating a new contract was William Nylander in 2018. His negotiations lasted until December that season.
A protracted negotiation will be disastrous for the Red Wings, given their current issues.
Werner has been careful not to discuss details in the negotiations. “We are not speculating on ongoing negotiations,” he told Expressen.
