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.
In Other News...
Tomas Galvas Is Giving Penguins Fans A Real Reason To Wonder
Tomas Galvas made himself hard to ignore at the 2026 Prospects Tournament, where the defenseman stood out in Pittsburghs 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He chipped in a goal and backed it up with strong all-around play, giving the Penguins another young name worth tracking as the tournament continued. Brayden Edwards scored twice, including the game-winner, and Carter Sanderson also found the net as Pittsburgh moved to 2-0.
For the Penguins, the result was one more encouraging checkpoint in a weekend built around evaluation, but Galvas may have done even more than help the scoreboard. His game showed the kind of individual effort and skill that can stick with a scouting staff, especially in a setting where every shift is being watched closely. If Pittsburgh fans were looking for a reason to keep an eye on this group, Galvas gave them one. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Prospect Pushes For Attention At Just The Right Time
A little extra buzz followed the Penguins prospects after a 4-3 win at the Balfour Training Center, and defenseman Tommy Galvas made sure his name was part of the conversation. With Pittsburghs system under close watch and plenty of attention already landing on training camp and trade chatter around the league, performances like this carry a little more weight than a routine summer skate.
The timing matters, too, with rumors circulating that the Penguins could host next years Prospects Tournament. For a young player trying to separate himself, an event like that would offer another chance to show he belongs on a bigger stage, and Galvas standout showing put him in a useful position as the organization continues sorting through camp questions and evaluating where its next wave fits. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Are Counting On These Second-Chance Bets To Deliver
Last season gave the Penguins a few reminders that second-chance bets can pay off, and that is part of why the conversation around this years roster feels so tied to opportunity. General manager Kyle Dubas has leaned into giving ice to players who have flashed promise without fully establishing themselves, and the idea is simple enough: if the performance is already peeking through, the next step may come only with a real chance to run with it.
Nick Robertson, Declan Carlile and Ville Koivunen are among the names that fit that mold heading into the new season. Each arrives with a different path and different expectations, but the common thread is the same, the Penguins want development to turn into production, and there is enough recent evidence in each case to make the bet feel worthwhile. The only question now is which one of them can turn last years glimpse into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]