Red Wings Missed Their Chance to Sign Simon Edvinsson to a Team-Friendly Deal

The Detroit Red Wings might have let slip their best opportunity to secure a crucial future player on a cost-effective contract.

Simon Edvinsson, a key restricted free agent for Detroit this offseason, is coming off his entry-level deal. The 23-year-old defenseman has already established himself as a cornerstone on the Red Wings' defense.

Initially, it was projected that Edvinsson could command an eight-year contract averaging $8.5 million annually, a figure comparable to Moritz Seider's $8.55 million AAV. However, given the current market, retaining him at that rate would be considered fortunate.

Red Wings Lost Valuable Time As Market Changed

The NHL's contract market has undergone significant changes during the 2026 offseason, with teams now awarding substantial salaries to young stars, even more so than before.

Notable recent contracts include Bowen Byram's six-year deal worth $12.5 million AAV and deals for Pavel Mintyukov (five years, $7.4 million AAV) and Simon Nemec (five years, $7.25 million AAV).

For players like Mintyukov and Nemec, five-year contracts have become appealing as they allow them to reach unrestricted free agency during their prime. This approach enables them to maximize their earning potential with another lucrative contract later, especially with a rising salary cap, rather than committing their entire 20s to a single deal.

This presents a difficult choice for teams. They can opt for long-term security by paying a premium now, assuming the player is open to a maximum-term contract, or save money in the short term and face potentially much higher negotiation costs later.

An eight-year agreement would have provided Detroit with cost certainty throughout Edvinsson's prime years, potentially becoming an even better deal as the salary cap increases. However, the Red Wings have allowed the market dynamics to evolve.

Furthermore, time is a critical factor. The NHL's new collective bargaining agreement is set to reduce the maximum contract length, with September 15th effectively being the deadline to secure an eight-year agreement before the seven-year maximum takes effect.

This makes the upcoming month crucial for the Red Wings. The problem is that Detroit currently lacks a general manager.

Without a GM in place, the organization cannot realistically expect to finalize one of its most critical offseason contract negotiations. There's no guarantee the GM search will conclude quickly enough for the new executive to have ample time to negotiate with Edvinsson before the eight-year contract window closes.

If Edvinsson's representatives prefer a five-year contract, Detroit could still sign him. However, a shorter term increases the risk of facing another negotiation with him as he approaches unrestricted free agency.

Moreover, the price has almost certainly risen. The initial projection of an $8.5 million AAV for eight years was based on the market before this offseason's aggressive contract signings. Having witnessed what other young players have secured, Edvinsson's camp now possesses greater leverage.

This doesn't necessarily mean Edvinsson will demand $10 million or more, but it does indicate that Detroit's earlier opportunity to lock him in at a lower long-term rate has likely passed.

Final Word

It's evident that Steve Yzerman's approach was to meticulously negotiate contracts to achieve the best value for the organization. This likely applied to Edvinsson's situation and could ultimately prove more costly for the franchise in the long run.

Detroit's next GM cannot afford to be patient. Their immediate priority must be to sign Edvinsson, and the eight-year contract option might be unavailable depending on when they begin their tenure.

Currently, an $8.5 million AAV still seems reasonable, but likely with a five-year term attached. A longer-term deal will almost certainly command a higher annual average value.