7 Best-Fit Trade Destinations Listed For Simon Edvinsson

With reports that about a third of the league would be interested in trading for Simon Edvinsson, there are plenty of rumors surrounding the Detroit Red Wings' unsigned restricted free agent. And undoubtedly, if you asked fans in the 31 other NHL markets, the number would be even higher. 

The top-pairing D-man and the Wings are still far apart in contract talks, and the 23-year-old has said that he 'prefers' to be traded at this point. We learned today that he's at least returning to North America to continue working out, somewhere on the East Coast, with trainers set up by his agency. 
 

But which trade locations make the most sense, and are the best fits for Edvinsson? Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff helps us cut through the clutter, and list seven trade destinations for the Red Wings' M.I.A. blueliner to keep an eye on, in alphabetical order:

Boston Bruins

The B's have been rumored to be trying to figure out the means to make a deal for the big (6'6") Detroit D-man. Larkin notes that the Bruins "struggled to defend in their own end last season, with an expected goal differential that placed them among the league’s draft lottery contenders."

The sticking point would be the asking price. The Red Wings would undoubtedly ask for emerging young center and top Boston prospect, James Hagens. But Larkin figures that could be a "deal-breaker" for Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

NY Islanders

Imagine pairing up Edvinsson and Matthew Schaefer on the same blueline. The Isles are no doubt imagining what that could look like. They also have an Alexander Romanov-sized hole on their blueline thanks to a season-ending torn ACL. 

Philadelphia Flyers

Many pundits have called the Flyers a great fit for Edvinsson. And perhaps no team could use him more than this one. After surrendering 28 goals in a dreadful season-opening seven-game winless streak, Philly is looking to upgrade its blueline (and its offense, and everything else, to be honest). Insider Elliotte Freidman reported last week that the Flyers were one of the teams in on him. 

The #Flyers are reportedly one of the teams “circling” on Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson. Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) on Sportsnet’s The Fan Hockey Show today: “I gotta think they’re one of the teams circling around on Edvinsson.” Edvinsson (23), an RFA, reported to camp but returned to Sweden last week without signing. The Swedish defenseman is a rare blend of size (6’6”, 222 lbs), speed, and skill that could cement the #Flyers blueline long-term. 2025-26: 72 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 PTS, +12, 22:21 TOI/GP (H/T @RinkyReport)

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) October 5, 2026

Seattle Kraken

As usual, the Kraken are wading through another season in the mushy middle—as Larkin notes, nowhere near good enough to make noise as a playoff team, but nowhere bad enough to get a franchise-changing top draft pick. Sure, Chase Reid at No. 7 last June could eventually be a top-pairing stud. But for now, he's just 18, and playing college hockey in the NCAA. The Kraken could use a star puck-mover like Edvinsson on their backline. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

At this point, we know that new GM John Chayka is not shy to pull off a big, splashy move to try to improve the Buds' outlook. The sign-and-trade for Darren Raddysh and the blockbuster trade for Kirill Marchenko are proof of that. But everyone in hockey knows that Chayka is looking to improve his blueline further, and nobody would be surprised if he tried valiantly to make a deal for Edvinsson. What kind of package he could offer, however, that's what hockey pundits can't figure out. 

Utah Mammoth

This is a team on the rise that has been pegged by many to be a frontrunner for Edvinsson (and Hellebuyck, for that matter). The price could be top young center prospect Caleb Desnoyers.

Vancouver Canucks

The Sedin twins are running the front office in Vancouver now, and it would make sense for them to use their Swedish connections to try to land Edvinsson as a premier building block for the team's rebuilding future.