Red Wings’ Simon Edvinsson Contract Standoff Exposes Bigger Organizational Problem

The Detroit Red Wings kick off their 2026-27 season Friday and top-pairing defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned. In fact, he’s not even in Detroit – he’s training in Sweden after a decision was made that he wouldn’t practice with the team until a contract was signed.

“As of today, Simon is not practicing with the team,” interim GM Shawn Horcoff shared in a statement. “The organization will continue conversations with Simon and his representatives.”

The fact that Edvinsson does not have a new contract on the eve of the season opener is an indictment on the state of the franchise. It’s an unforced error by a team struggling to get over the hump and alter perceptions.

What We Know About Red Wings-Edvinsson Contract Talks

As of Wednesday, reports have indicated that the Red Wings prefer a bridge deal – a one- or two-year contract that typically comes with a lower cap hit than longer-term pacts. Edvinsson and his agent want a long-term contract, though. That’s where the disconnect lies.

What’s unclear is the term Edvinsson’s agent Peter Werner is pushing for. Seven years? Six? Five? This is a critical factor that remains unknown. If Edvinsson wants to lock in a seven-year contract, then it’s in Detroit’s best interest to oblige and pony up for one of their franchise cornerstones. 

It’s been said many times – it’s better to sign impact players to long-term contracts early. As the salary cap increases, the cap hit becomes more and more palatable until it’s eventually deemed a steal – just like the contracts signed by Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

On the other hand, if Edvinsson’s agent wants a four- or five-year contract that walks the defenseman straight to unrestricted free agency upon its expiry, then it’s completely understandable why Horcoff and team are unwilling to budge. Like I said before, Edvinsson is a cornerstone player – the Red Wings can’t afford to lose him in his prime. It doesn’t matter if five-year deals post-entry level contracts are the trend.

While long-term contracts come with a higher cap hit, that shouldn’t be an issue for the Red Wings. They don’t have a cash flow problem. In fact, they rank last in the NHL for total cash committed to the 2026-27 team according to Sportrac.

That said, this negotiation is something that should have been done in May/June and a resolution should have been found by now. 

I am convinced that Edvinsson could have been signed for eight years at about $8 million after the 2025-26 season ended. Instead, the organization grinded away for more favorable terms and watched as the market moved. Now, there’s significant risk that one of Detroit’s top-pairing blueliners will miss some of the critical 2026-27 campaign.

Final Word

It’s become increasingly clear that the Red Wings are run with a focus on the balance sheet. Between the grinding contract negotiations, soaring ticket prices, the relatively small hockey operations staff, and lack of meaningful progress on District Detroit, profitability appears to be the north star. Not winning or optimizing fan experience.

That’s not how you build a competitive franchise that attracts high-end talent. That’s not how you change the organization’s perception around the league. Most importantly, that’s not how you build a sustainable, winning organization that competes for Stanley Cups.

The lack of progress on Edvinsson’s contract is only a symptom of the current state of affairs. The culture needs to change. And that starts at the top with Chris Ilitch.