Sharks Held Serious Trade Talks With Red Wings About Simon Edvinsson

San Jose has emerged as a serious trade partner in Detroit’s discussions about Simon Edvinsson, with the Red Wings seeking a young center as part of a potential return. Elliotte Friedman reported on NHL Network that the clubs have had substantial conversations, though no deal has been completed and Detroit continues to say it wants to sign the restricted free agent.

That combination leaves Detroit with two paths to consider: reach an agreement with Edvinsson or keep exploring what another club might offer. Friedman said the Red Wings have taken calls from around the NHL and have discussed Edvinsson with several teams. San Jose, Seattle and Nashville were among those he identified as having looked into the defenseman. He also named Boston, while adding that he had heard the Bruins’ interest might have cooled.

San Jose stands out in Friedman’s account. He described Edvinsson as a strong fit for the Sharks and said Detroit’s conversations with them had been particularly serious. The return Detroit has discussed is a young center, whether already playing in the NHL or still developing outside it. Friedman characterized the target as the best young center prospect a team might be willing to make available.

Friedman didn’t identify a specific San Jose player, so the identity of any potential target remains unconfirmed. The reported discussions establish Detroit’s preference for a center as a key part of its evaluation; they don’t establish that the Sharks have offered a particular player or that either side is close to an agreement.

Detroit is weighing a signing against a trade

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has said the club wants to sign Edvinsson and keep him in Detroit. At the same time, Friedman reported that Detroit has spoken with other teams about a possible trade. Those positions can coexist while the team explores its choices, but the center it could acquire appears to be central to whether a trade makes sense.

Edvinsson’s status as a restricted free agent gives Detroit negotiating control over his NHL rights, while the player and his agent, J.P. Barry, can speak with other teams, Friedman said. Those conversations can help establish whether another club is interested and what kind of return Detroit might pursue. The report doesn’t detail Edvinsson’s contract demands or give a timetable for a possible agreement.

That leaves a familiar tension in roster building: a team may value a young defenseman’s future in its lineup while also assessing whether a trade could fill a different need. For Detroit, the reported search for a young center suggests the club is weighing how a return at that position would compare with keeping Edvinsson. For San Jose, the attraction Friedman sees is an opportunity to add a defenseman, though the cost would depend on the player Detroit is seeking and the Sharks’ willingness to part with him.

The December 1 deadline adds pressure

Friedman said Jeff Blashill indicated Detroit would wait until December 1 if necessary. Edvinsson must be signed by that date to play this season, according to the report. That gives the negotiations a clear point on the calendar: if no contract is in place by then, he won’t be able to suit up this year.

The deadline doesn’t guarantee a trade or a signing, but it frames the choices for both sides. Detroit can continue talks with Edvinsson’s camp while considering offers from interested clubs. A potential buyer, meanwhile, would have to weigh the value of acquiring his rights against the time available to reach an agreement. With the date approaching, the gap between continued talks and an actual resolution matters more.

For now, the reported Sharks discussions are evidence of serious interest, not a completed move. Detroit’s public preference remains to keep Edvinsson, and the club is also testing the market for a young center. The next concrete developments to watch are whether the Red Wings and Edvinsson find contract terms, whether San Jose is prepared to make a center available, and whether any trade conversation advances before December 1.

Friedman’s comments appeared on NHL Network. Edvinsson’s player page is available at Hockey-Reference.