Detroit’s contract stalemate with Simon Edvinsson is still waiting on a bigger decision above it.
Pierre Lebrun of The Athletic reported in today’s edition of NHL rumblings that talks between the Red Wings and the restricted free agent remain on hold while the club sorts out its next general manager or head of hockey operations. Detroit is sitting on $19MM in cap space, but the bigger issue right now is organizational uncertainty after a chaotic offseason that has already seen Steve Yzerman removed and captain Dylan Larkin wanting out.
That delay matters because the clock is ticking on Edvinsson’s next deal. Tomorrow is the deadline for him to sign an eight-year contract, and this summer has already been full of younger players landing long-term money.
AFP Analytics projects either a seven-year deal at an $8.7MM AAV or a shorter bridge arrangement at three years and $5.56MM per. With the franchise’s direction now shifting toward the next wave of talent instead of the old win-now push, locking him up long term would make sense.
Even if a deal isn’t done before then, Edvinsson is still expected to be at training camp in three days. If he’s under contract by opening night on October 2 against the Rangers, Detroit will have one of its most important young pieces in place for a season that could ask a lot of him.
The 23-year-old logged a career-high 22:21 in ice time last season, though his offense dipped a bit. He also took on a heavy defensive burden, starting nearly 57% of his five-on-five shifts in his own end.
For a Red Wings team that may be facing a difficult year, a jump from Edvinsson offensively - and the chance to build a top-end pairing with Moritz Seider - would be a major development.
In Calgary, Flames general manager Craig Conroy said on Flames Now 770 with Pat Steinberg that the team is healthy and ready for camp except for Jonathan Huberdeau. That lines up with last week’s report that Huberdeau will miss the start of the season while recovering from hip surgery. Conroy’s update also means players such as Joel Hanley, who was sidelined at the end of last season with an upper-body injury, should be available.
Huberdeau’s situation remains one of the more difficult contract stories in the league. He’s not going to become the Florida version of himself again - the All-Star forward who drew Hart Trophy votes - especially with the injury concerns that have piled up.
Still, with four years left at $10.5MM, Calgary would probably welcome more seasons like the one two years ago, when he posted 60-plus points. Last season was a rough one: just 25 points in 50 games.
Pittsburgh made a front-office move of its own, naming Marcel Braithwaite as its new President of Business Operations. The Penguins said in a team press release that Braithwaite, a native of the Netherlands, will relocate to the Pittsburgh area as the franchise enters a new off-ice era under the Hoffman Family of Companies.
Braithwaite spent the last 14 years with the Houston Astros, where he worked through multiple ballpark renovations and upgrades. His focus there was on revenue growth and keeping the fan experience strong. The Penguins are heading toward their regular-season opener on September 30, and they’ll do it looking for revenge against the rival Flyers after last spring’s playoff defeat.
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For a prospect like Muzzatti, the path is straightforward but not easy: show enough in camp to make himself worth keeping close, then prove the same traits can translate in pro hockey. His game is supposed to revolve around being responsible away from the puck and difficult to move around the crease, which is exactly the sort of profile that can stand out when there are openings to be won. What happens next will depend on how quickly he adapts once the pace picks up and the organization starts sorting out where he fits. [Read more 🡒]