On Friday night, the Seattle Kraken traveled to play the Detroit Red Wings in what turned out to be an eventful game. A second-period offensive explosion saw the Kraken come away with a 6-2 win. For everything the game had, it did not feature the likes of Red Wings young stud defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who has remained home in Sweden while awaiting a new contract from the team.
Detroit’s interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has indicated the club’s desire to re-sign the restricted free agent and have him return to the team, but The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun noted on X that “the longer this goes on, obviously a trade becomes possible.”
Given the Kraken’s recent tendency to take swings in the trade market, Edvinsson is an enticing option. Reports have suggested the Kraken as one of the potential suitors for Edvinsson. As many as 10 teams have inquired about the Red Wings defenseman, according to LeBrun.
As with any player of Edvinsson’s age and caliber, there would be a high price for teams to acquire him. But it’s nothing the Kraken couldn’t fork over, and for the right combination of players, prospects or draft picks, it could mean the franchise locks down a stalwart on the blue line for years to come.
What kind of player is Simon Edvinsson?
Edvinsson was drafted sixth overall by the Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft. His first full season in the league was 2024-25, when he posted seven goals and 24 assists in 78 games.
His point production isn’t as notable as his defensive play and ability to limit opponents’ offensive opportunities. At 6-foot-6, 222 lbs, Edvinsson ranked tied for 14th among defensemen in 2025-26 with 2.1 blocked shots per game. But more than that, he is a physical force who can shut attacks down at the blue line and singlehandedly eliminate threats with his long reach, heavy hits, and good instincts. And he skates and moves the puck well for a player of his size too.
At 23 years old, Edvinsson is still just reaching his prime. His potential is what teams would be paying for, whether through an extension with the Red Wings or a trade. He plays the game in a way that could appeal to the Kraken in both the short and long term.
Benefiting the Kraken
In the short term, Edvinsson would add a new dynamic and help replace the physical presence missed with Ryan Lindgren out at least a month and Jamie Oleksiak having moved on in the offseason. While not a full-on game wrecker, he would help bolster a young core in its push toward the playoffs this season and beyond.
The left-shot defenseman would also fit in a couple different ways. In the immediate, he does seem like a perfect fit next to Brandon Montour on the second pair, which would move Ryker Evans back down to the third pair (if Evans isn’t involved in the potential deal). Edvinsson would also offer a potential succession plan for Vince Dunn on the first pairing. Dunn is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season, and while he has expressed his desire to stay and eventually retire with the Kraken, Edvinsson is a top-pair caliber defenseman.
It’s also worth noting that Edvinsson’s agent is J.P. Barry of CAA Sports. Barry also represents Kraken defenseman and fellow Swede Adam Larsson, who signed an extension with the team last season.
Plus, let’s consider an ultra-hypothetical scenario in which Edvinsson signs a five- or six-year extension. How much fire power would a potential pairing of Chase Reid and Edvinsson bring in a couple years? By the end of that contract, the Kraken’s top defensive prospect in Reid should be making an impact at the NHL level.
Pairing a gap-controlling defenseman like Edvinsson alongside a speedy, skilled, puck-moving defenseman like Reid would theoretically benefit both players.
The costs
Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. The Kraken would still need to complete the trade, and from the sounds of it, the cost is what they should be wary of.
Reports suggest the asking price for Edvinsson is a bit steep. A player like him would likely command a top young player or two, plus draft picks. Plus, it’s entirely possible the Red Wings won’t want to do anything drastic given the current status of the front office.
Off the Kraken’s roster, young players like Ryan Winterton and Evans could be part of a package. And what about moving Shane Wright to swap two players who have openly expressed an interest in a change of scenery?
As for prospect and draft capital, the Kraken have quite a few enticing players in the minors that could be worthy of a new opportunity with Detroit. They also have two 2027 first-round picks at their disposal.
Getting a player like Edvinsson would be a game changer for Seattle. It would not only help dispel the notion that the team can’t acquire talent, but also bolster its future on the blue line.
But what do you think? Should the Kraken go after Simon Edvinsson? If so, what would you be willing to give up to acquire him?