If the Maple Leafs want a chance at Simon Edvinsson, they are in for some stiff competition as several other teams are desperate to add the disgruntled Red Wing.
Simon Edvinsson's name has been making the trade rumour rounds lately as he and the Detroit Red Wings are reportedly miles apart in terms of a contract extension and with him vocalizing his desire to play elsewhere - it's another fractured relationship that Shawn Horcoff needs to try and mend.
If he can't then it is going to be important for him to get as many assets as possible for his young defenseman, and there are already teams like Toronto and Philadelphia who are in the mix.
Toronto facing a flurry of teams fighting for Simon Edvinsson
But if the Maple Leafs want the best shot at getting him then they'll need to blow the Red Wings away.
According to a report from The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Red Wings are past the contemplation stage when it comes to an Edvinsson trade and are actively talking to teams, with the insider mentioning as many as six teams are in discussions - Philadelphia being the only named club:
It's more than just listening, they're engaging now in trade conversations, not just with Philly, but I believe there are about 6 teams that Detroit is seriously having conversations with.
It's understandable why the Red Wings would want to shop Edvinsson especially since he left the team to train in Sweden while his contract issues are sorted. But Detroit holds almost zero leverage, and much like they would need to for Dylan Larkin - they'd have to take what they can get.
Edvinsson, 23, is a stay-at-home shutdown defender who loves to throw hits and sacrifice himself for his team.
He's recorded 19 goals and 60 points in 175 games for the Red Wings but is more known for his defense. The Swede has 325 blocks and 217 hits over his four-year career which averages out to over 81 blocks and 52 hits so far in his brief NHL journey.
Reports surfaced that he wants a potential contract in the $9M AAV range and honestly, taking a look at what other deals have been signed around the league, he'd be crazy to ask for anything less.
Tristan Luneau just signed a massive deal despite having a handful of games played, and Edvinsson's production at such a young age deserves a raise - but whether Toronto can afford that raise is another question.
It isn't the contract that's going to cost Toronto but the acquisition price itself
It's not about the contract because as we've seen with Kirill Marchenko, the team isn't afraid to invest long-term and for a heavy price too. But it's more what the team would need to give up.
Ben Danford and Colorado's 2028 first-rounder are almost mandatory, then you would have to look into other names like NHL-ready players like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dakota Joshua, Brandon Duhaime, or even maybe Easton Cowan finds himself in the conversation.
it may be worth it because Edvinsson provides a solution for either Darren Raddysh or Morgan Rielly, is a replacement for Chris Tanev, and effectively takes Danford's spot as the new young defender in town with potential.
John Chayka loves to make a splash, and if he's desperate enough to shake the NHL up once again then maybe we'll see another Swedish superstar put on the blue and white this season.
Should the Maple Leafs go all-in and trade for Simon Edvinsson from the Red Wings?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Former Leaf involved in Marchenko trade stuns hockey world with a hat trick