Simon Edvinsson’s situation with the Detroit Red Wings still looks stuck in the same place.
On The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Frank Seravalli said the trade chatter around the 23-year-old defenseman hasn’t really moved, and neither has Edvinsson’s thinking. As Seravalli put it, “His mindset hasn’t changed. He’s, I think, he’s waiting for a trade more than anticipating Detroit coming to him, saying, “Fine, we’ll give you, you know, $77 million over, over seven years.”
That doesn’t sound like a player preparing to settle in. Seravalli added that Detroit may still want to keep him, but the interest around the league remains strong.
“Doesn’t seem like, like that’s the case. So they may want to keep them, but you know, again, all the teams that I listed off before, and I’m sure there are others, would love to get their hands on, on Simon Edvinsson. 23-year-old first-pair defenseman.
Who is the, you know, (Victor) Hedman without the offense for now.”
Marek jumped in with the obvious size reminder: “6′ 6”
Seravalli also said, “Who, who wouldn’t want him? I think all, all other 30 teams would love to get their hands on him. Obviously, some can’t because the cap, you know, restraints and things like that, and he’s going to command a hefty price.
But as far as I know, his mindset hasn’t changed. He’s still training and bouncing around different parts of the U.S. at the moment, and the trade conversations continue.”
Another name that’s suddenly in the middle of the rumor mill is Nikita Kucherov.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that Kucherov stunned the NHL on Friday night with a trade request. The 33-year-old plans to keep playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning while the situation gets sorted out, though there’s still a question about whether he eventually applies more pressure by stepping away from the team.
Chris Johnston reported that Kucherov had asked for $20 million over six years. Plenty of people expected something to be done by now, but instead the reaction around the league has been shock.
One general manager believed the request could be a negotiation tactic, but Kucherov also spoke to teammates on the plane about what was going on and what he planned to do.
If he does get moved, the guess is that it would happen closer to the March 1st trade deadline. Julian BriseBois may not want to trade him, but he might not have much of a choice.
There’s also a question of whether Kucherov could change his mind about wanting out of Tampa. Dylan Larkin had been on Kucherov’s trade list, and the Lightning did speak to the Red Wings about Larkin. The possibility of a third team getting involved also came up, along with the idea that Tampa Bay could pursue both Larkin and Edvinsson.
Montreal Canadiens could be on Kucherov’s list, but there is zero chance the Lightning would deal him there. The Vegas Golden Knights, meanwhile, are always in on big names.
In Other News...
Kucherov Just Made Tampa Bays Biggest Problem Even Harder To Ignore
Nikita Kucherovs trade request has turned into one of the more uncomfortable storylines around the Lightning, and now the star winger has finally spoken publicly about why it happened. He made clear the issue was not money, but the way things had been handled, pointing to poor communication and a lack of respect as the reasons the request was made. For a team built around long-term relationships and continuity, that kind of rift is hard to ignore.
Kucherov also said he and general manager Julien BriseBois had only two conversations over the past four months, a detail that only sharpens the sense of distance between player and front office. He added that BriseBois told him he would be free to leave as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, even as Kucherov stressed that he remains committed to Tampa Bay for this season and appreciative of the organization. The season goes on, but the larger issue hanging over the Lightning clearly is not going away anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Unveil A New Tampa Look Fans Will Definitely Debate
The Lightning are giving their look a fresh jolt this season with a new Hometown Remix uniform that leans hard into Tampa style. The all-black design with blue accents has a Gasparilla-inspired feel, a sharp departure that is sure to get people talking whenever it hits the ice.
There is also a local touch built into the jersey that nods to one of the citys more recognizable details, even if it is easy to miss at first glance. Tampa Bay has already lined up a slate of Saturday home dates for the new sweater, giving fans plenty of chances to decide whether this one belongs in the regular rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Kucherov To Detroit Rumor Would Force A Massive Lightning Decision
Speculation around Nikita Kucherov has put a familiar name and a familiar division rival into the same conversation, and it is the kind of rumor that instantly gets attention in Tampa Bay. Elliotte Friedman and Emily Kaplan reported that Detroit has emerged as a possible landing spot, with the Red Wings said to have the cap room to handle Kucherovs contract demands if the fit ever moved beyond the hypothetical stage. From a hockey standpoint, it is easy to see why the idea has traction, even if the practical hurdles are enormous.
What makes this especially notable for the Lightning is the ripple effect it would have on their own roster decisions, because any serious discussion involving a player of Kucherovs stature would force the organization to weigh its future in a big way. Detroit interim GM Shawn Horcoff is already staring at major trade and extension choices, and Kucherovs reported openness to a select group of teams only adds another layer to a situation that remains very much unresolved. [Read more 🡒]