The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2026-27 season with Simon Edvinsson expected to anchor a young defensive core. Instead, the 23-year-old is in Sweden without a contract, forcing Detroit to consider an uncomfortable question about his future.
Edvinsson’s value is clear. He posted 9 goals and 25 points in 72 games last season while averaging 22:21, second among Detroit defensemen behind Moritz Seider. He has reached 60 points through 175 NHL games, making him a valuable asset.
If negotiations remain stalled, Pittsburgh could be a logical destination. The Penguins need younger defensemen, while Detroit could seek help or a young asset in return. The connection is more intriguing because Pittsburgh owns the rights to Will Horcoff, Shawn Horcoff’s son.
Edvinsson’s contract standoff changes the equation
Edvinsson became a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract following the 2025-26 season. Detroit identified a new deal as a priority, but the sides have not reached an agreement as the regular season begins.
He attended training camp without a contract and practiced with the team initially. That changed Sept. 29, when interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said Edvinsson would no longer train with Detroit while negotiations continued.
Edvinsson then returned to Sweden, where he continued training ahead of the season. Reuters reported that the dispute primarily involved contract length, while the Associated Press confirmed he remained unsigned before Detroit’s opener against the New York Rangers.
Detroit has plenty invested in Edvinsson
Detroit selected Edvinsson sixth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, making him one of the organization’s most important defensive investments. The 6-foot-6 Swede eventually became a full-time NHL player during the 2024-25 season.
His 2025-26 campaign strengthened that standing. Edvinsson established career highs with 9 goals, 25 points, and 22:21 of average ice time, while playing major minutes near Seider for Detroit last season.
Across 175 NHL games, Edvinsson has 19 goals and 41 assists for 60 points. Those numbers do not fully capture his value, but they explain why Detroit has continued treating his contract as an important organizational priority.
Pittsburgh stands out as a logical destination
Sports Illustrated recently identified Pittsburgh as a potential fit if Detroit ultimately decides to move Edvinsson. The reasoning is straightforward: the Penguins need younger defensemen capable of handling significant responsibilities on the left side.
Pittsburgh’s opening roster includes 7 defensemen, but the group features veterans such as Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang alongside younger options. Ryan Graves is also on injured reserve, further complicating the club’s defensive depth early in the season.
Edvinsson would give Pittsburgh a 23-year-old left-shot defenseman with size, skating ability, and substantial NHL experience. For a team trying to balance an aging core with a transition toward younger talent, that profile would make sense.
The Horcoff connection makes this unusual
The most interesting wrinkle is the connection between the organizations. Will Horcoff, Shawn Horcoff’s son, was selected by Pittsburgh with the 24th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after playing at the University of Michigan.
That relationship does not mean Will Horcoff would automatically be part of a trade. Any deal would depend on Pittsburgh’s valuation of the prospect, Detroit’s priorities, and Edvinsson’s contract situation.
Still, Sports Illustrated suggested Will Horcoff could be a starting point for discussions. For Detroit, acquiring a young forward prospect could address organizational needs while avoiding a return centered entirely on an older NHL player.
Pittsburgh could offer a different timeline
Pittsburgh is not simply a collection of veterans around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. General manager Kyle Dubas has emphasized the need to develop young talent while pushing the Penguins back toward contention as quickly as possible.
That approach could make Edvinsson particularly attractive. He would not need to become a franchise cornerstone immediately, but his age and experience could help bridge Pittsburgh’s established stars and its emerging players.
Detroit, meanwhile, would have to decide whether trading a 23-year-old defenseman makes sense for its own timeline. If the organization believes Edvinsson can become a long-term top-pairing piece, moving him simply because negotiations became difficult would carry significant risk.
A trade would require a substantial return
Detroit should not move Edvinsson for a modest package simply because his contract situation has become uncomfortable. A player selected sixth overall and already established as an NHL regular should command meaningful value.
Pittsburgh could offer prospects, draft capital, or NHL-ready help, depending on what Detroit wants. The Penguins’ recent emphasis on young forwards could create an especially interesting framework if the teams seriously explore a deal.
However, there is no indication that Detroit and Pittsburgh are actively negotiating an Edvinsson trade. The current discussion is speculative, based on roster fits and the possibility that the contract stalemate continues.
Detroit still has reasons to keep him
The strongest argument against a trade is the same reason Edvinsson has value to other teams: Detroit needs defensemen with his age, size, and upside. Seider remains the centerpiece, but Edvinsson gives Detroit another young player capable of heavy minutes.
Detroit also has prospects such as Axel Sandin-Pellikka and William Wallinder developing behind its established defenders. Yet replacing Edvinsson’s NHL experience immediately would still be difficult, particularly if the team wants to remain competitive.
The Red Wings, therefore, have leverage only if they are willing to walk away from a difficult negotiation. Signing Edvinsson remains the cleanest solution, while a trade should probably be viewed as a contingency rather than the preferred outcome.
The next move belongs to Detroit
With the season underway, every missed practice adds pressure to an already complicated situation. Edvinsson is training in Sweden, while Detroit has to manage its opening roster without one of its most promising defensemen.
A contract agreement would quickly eliminate the trade speculation. If negotiations remain frozen, though, the Red Wings may eventually have to evaluate outside options, including whether Pittsburgh’s roster and prospect pool offer a workable match.
For now, Pittsburgh is best described as a logical hypothetical partner, not a confirmed destination. The Penguins have a need that Edvinsson could fill, and the Horcoff connection adds intrigue, but Detroit’s priority should remain finding a contract solution.
Fun fact: Edvinsson helped Sweden win bronze at the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and led Swedish defensemen in tournament scoring with 4 points in 7 games.
TL;DR
- Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned as a restricted free agent.
- He posted 9 goals and 25 points in 72 games last season.
- Pittsburgh has a need for younger left-shot defensemen.
- Will Horcoff, Shawn Horcoff’s son, is a Penguins prospect.
- A trade remains speculative, with no confirmed negotiations reported.
- Detroit’s preferred outcome should still be retaining Edvinsson.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
