The Detroit Red Wings were supposed to be entering a new era. Instead, they are starting the 2026-27 season with more questions than answers.
The latest bombshell came from Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, who reported that young defenseman Simon Edvinsson would prefer a trade as his contract negotiations with Detroit continue. Edvinsson remains an unsigned restricted free agent after putting up nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season.
That alone would be a major story. But in Detroit, it is just the latest problem.
Dylan Larkin has already asked for a trade after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season. The situation has become even more uncomfortable after Detroit removed Larkin as captain, and the longtime Red Wing was loudly booed by fans during Friday’s home opener against the New York Rangers.
Then came the “sell the team” chants.
After the Rangers scored early, frustrated fans at Little Caesars Arena began chanting for owner Chris Ilitch to sell the franchise. It was an ugly scene for an organization that once represented one of the most successful and respected operations in professional hockey.
And the frustration isn’t difficult to understand. Detroit hasn’t made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a decade. The team was actually in a strong position earlier last season before falling apart down the stretch, finishing 41-31-10 and missing the playoffs once again.
Now Detroit has lost its general manager, still doesn’t have a permanent replacement, started the season without a captain and is dealing with uncertainty surrounding two of its most important young and veteran players. Edvinsson, the sixth overall pick in 2021, is supposed to be a major part of the Red Wings’ future. Instead, he is currently back in Sweden while negotiations continue.
That is what makes the Edvinsson situation so concerning. If a 23-year-old defenseman who is supposed to be part of the solution is reportedly looking for a way out, Detroit has to ask itself some serious questions about how the organization is being perceived by its own players.
The Red Wings still have talented players. Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat are not going anywhere overnight. But talent isn’t the problem anymore. Direction is.
Detroit needs to figure out what it wants to be. If Larkin wants out, Edvinsson wants out and the fans are demanding that ownership sell, this isn’t simply a bad stretch of hockey. Something is clearly broken in Hockeytown — and the Red Wings need to figure out what it is before they lose even more of the people who are supposed to lead them into the future.
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