Jeff Marek Names Two Teams That Could Target Simon Edvinsson With an Offer Sheet
Simon Edvinsson’s contract stalemate with the Detroit Red Wings has reached another interesting stage, with NHL insider Jeff Marek suggesting that rival teams could consider an unconventional way of pursuing the young defenseman.
Marek has identified the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins as two teams that could potentially make sense as offer-sheet candidates for Edvinsson.
The idea comes as the 23-year-old restricted free agent remains unsigned and his future in Detroit becomes increasingly uncertain.
Edvinsson Situation Takes Another Turn
The latest development came after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Edvinsson now prefers to be traded rather than sign an extension with Detroit.
Friedman also reported that Edvinsson’s camp and the Red Wings are currently not communicating, while Detroit continues telling other teams that its priority is to reach an extension with the defenseman.
Edvinsson has already returned to Sweden and has been skating with Frölunda while the contract dispute remains unresolved. The two sides have reportedly struggled to find common ground, particularly regarding the length of his next contract.
That uncertainty is what makes Marek’s offer-sheet idea particularly intriguing.
Why Carolina Could Be a Fit
Marek believes the Hurricanes could be one team worth watching.
Carolina has built a competitive blue line, but adding a 23-year-old defenseman with Edvinsson’s potential could represent a significant long-term investment.
An offer sheet would force Detroit into a decision.
The Red Wings could either match the contract and retain Edvinsson or allow him to leave in exchange for the draft compensation attached to the offer sheet.
Whether Carolina would actually pursue such a move remains purely speculative at this point.
Boston Is Another Team to Watch
The Bruins are the other club Marek identified.
Boston already has established defensemen under contract, but the organization could view Edvinsson as a potential long-term addition to its blue line.
The appeal would be his age and upside rather than simply adding another veteran defenseman.
As with Carolina, however, there is currently no indication that Boston has submitted an offer sheet or is formally preparing one.
The Big Question: Would Detroit Match?
That’s what makes an offer sheet such an intriguing possibility.
Detroit still controls Edvinsson’s NHL rights because he is a restricted free agent. An opposing team can’t simply sign him without giving the Red Wings an opportunity to respond under the league’s offer-sheet rules.
The real question would be whether Detroit’s front office would be willing to match the contract.
That decision could become especially complicated given the organization’s current uncertainty and the fact that Edvinsson reportedly wants a different outcome.
Detroit’s Situation Continues to Evolve
The Red Wings have repeatedly indicated that keeping Edvinsson remains a priority, even as reports of his desire to leave have emerged.
For now, Marek’s suggestion remains an idea rather than an active transaction.
But if the contract stalemate continues and Detroit refuses to trade its young defenseman, an offer sheet could become one of the more interesting possibilities surrounding the situation.
For the Red Wings, the longer Edvinsson remains unsigned, the more complicated his future in Detroit becomes.
