One of the first things Shawn Horcoff did upon being named interim general manager of the Detroit Red Wings was to call the agent for restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson.
That was a little more than two weeks ago and the calls remain ongoing as the Wings begin the 2026-27 season with Edvinsson still unsigned – and the fact he returned to Sweden
after being in Detroit for training camp surprised the Wings."I didn't expect that," Horcoff said on Friday, Oct. 2, at Little Caesars Arena, a few hours before the Wings dropped the puck in their season opener against the New York Rangers. Edvinsson wasn't the only Wings star missing from the lineup: Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade at the end of last season, is sidelined by an upper-body injury.
While Larkin has been ruled out the first two games, Edvinsson is no longer with the team. He doesn't even have a stall in the locker room anymore.
"We were excited when he came over," Horcoff said. "It was encouraging. I would say that's not that common, so we were excited when he came here. Of course it's disappointing when he went back, but, he's a priority for us."
Horcoff said he, "talked to Simon's camp right away, right off the bat," after being named interim GM on Sept. 15, two days before the start of camp.
"We're doing everything we can, working closely with the agents," Horcoff said. "He's a big part of the club and we'd like to get him signed, but the details of the negotiation we'll keep private out of respect for Simon and his group, and we can comment on all that when it's all said and done."
Horcoff cited keeping the matter private again when asked if the team preferred a maximum seven-year deal (sensible, given how player salaries have inflated this summer) or a shorter bridge deal.
And, as he did in his introductory press conference on Sept. 16, Horcoff shed little light on the Larkin situation. Larkin wants out, but he's under contract for five more years at an $8.7 million salary cap hit that is very favorable. The Wings are better with the 30-year-old center in their lineup, and making that happen remains the hope.
"We're going to, out of respect for the process, and Dylan, and us as well, we've agreed to kind of keep that in house, and that'll be commented on in due time," Horcoff said Friday.
"The focus with Dylan now is getting him healthy. He's making great progress skating with the team. We think he's close, and once he is healthy, our priority is getting him back on the ice. He's skating with the guys. He's in a good mood. I think he's starting to feel better. I talk to him daily. He's in a good place."
Horcoff also reiterated getting Alex DeBrincat, the team's top offensive threat, signed to an extension "is a priority." DeBrincat, 28 and a Farmington Hills native, is in the final year of his contract.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM 'didn't expect' Simon Edvinsson to return to Sweden
