Red Wings Face Uncertainty Over GM Search, Edvinsson Contract, and Penalty Kill

The Detroit Red Wings enter the 2026-27 season with several pressing issues, including the search for a new general manager after Steve Yzerman stepped down. The team also needs to resolve defenseman Simon Edvinsson's contract situation and improve its penalty kill. These questions could determine whether the franchise ends its playoff drought.

The Red Wings' front-office transition comes after a decade without playoff hockey, with Yzerman remaining in a non-GM capacity. The new hire faces immediate decisions on Larkin's future and Edvinsson's contract, with the latter able to sign an offer sheet elsewhere. Detroit's late-season collapse last year underscored how close the roster is to breaking through.

Edvinsson, 23, emerged as a key defensive piece alongside Moritz Seider last season, making his unresolved restricted free agency a pressing concern. Detroit's penalty kill ranked 23rd in the NHL at 77.1 percent, a weakness that contributed to another disappointing finish. These roster questions, combined with the GM search, create a pivotal training camp for the franchise.