Aggressive Eastern Team Reportedly Calling Red Wings About Edvinsson

The minute it was reported that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson might prefer a trade to re-signing with the Red Wings, the trade market started taking shape. Within 24 hours, the names of teams with interest are surfacing, and the Philadelphia Flyers may be among the early aggressors.

Elliotte Friedman said on The FAN Hockey Show that the Flyers are “one of the teams circling around on Edvinsson.” The report follows word that Detroit has started checking the market on the 23-year-old, who is reportedly frustrated by his drawn-out contract talks.

The fit makes sense. Edvinsson is 6-foot-6, 222 pounds, skates well and has 60 points in 175 NHL games. He drove 51.2 percent of shot attempts last season, while no Flyers defenseman topped 47.6 percent. The Flyers have already taken big swings this season — trying to offer sheet Leo Carlsson from the Anaheim Ducks — so it makes sense that Philadelphia could look to lock up a young piece for its core. A sign-and-trade would make sense, and the Flyers have the financial means to make a move.

The price will likely be steep. Even though the Red Wings haven’t made signing Edvinsson a priority, they still value the defenseman and understand what he’d be worth in a trade. They’ve explored the trade market plenty while trade to move Dylan Larkin. They know what teams are shopping and might be willing to move, even if the return on a defenseman would be different than on a center.

Expect Several Teams To Call About an Edvinsson Trade

The Flyers may not be alone in their pursuit of Edvinsson. David Pagnotta said other clubs are poking around, including the Seattle Kraken, which could drive up the cost. Tyler Miller of SI.com writes, “There would be such a nice reunion of father and son if interim GM Shawn Horcoff asked Dubas for his son, Will, in any kind of trade talks.” This assumes the Pittsburgh Penguins might also have interest.