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Simon Edvinsson trade rumors have taken a significant turn, with Michael Misa emerging as a central name in discussions between the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks. In his November 6 report for The Fourth Period, NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed that Detroit reportedly wants more than Misa alone for its 23-year-old defenseman.
I’ve tracked NHL trades, contract negotiations and salary-cap developments for NHLTradeRumor.com since February 2010. My assessment: the two organizations have assets that could solve each other’s problems, but the gap in trade valuation is only the first obstacle. San Jose must also solve a complicated salary-cap puzzle.
Simon Edvinsson Trade Rumors: David Pagnotta Reveals the Michael Misa Roadblock
Pagnotta reported that conversations between Detroit and San Jose have intensified over roughly the past week. The Sharks are searching for defensive improvements, while Edvinsson remains unsigned following the expiration of his entry-level contract.
Michael Misa, San Jose’s second-overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, has emerged in the negotiations. However, Pagnotta explained that accounts differ on whether Detroit requested Misa or San Jose first suggested including him.
The important distinction is Detroit’s reported position: a straight Edvinsson-for-Misa exchange isn’t enough. Pagnotta also identified Igor Chernyshov, Filip Bystedt and Keaton Verhoeff as young Sharks assets whose names have surfaced in discussions.
Our previous coverage of San Jose’s earlier Edvinsson trade proposals highlighted the difference between offering several prospects and surrendering a legitimate franchise-calibre talent.
What Could an Edvinsson-for-Misa Trade Actually Look Like?
Based on Pagnotta’s latest information, here’s the framework I would explore. This is an NHLTradeRumor.com hypothetical proposal, not a reported offer.
| Asset | Destination | 2026–27 Cap Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Simon EdvinssonUnsigned RFA rights | San Jose Sharks | $0 until signed |
| Michael MisaCentre / left wing | Detroit Red Wings | $986,250 out of SJS |
| 2028 second-round pickSan Jose’s own selection | Detroit Red Wings | $0 |
Editorial proposal only. No such package has been confirmed. A separate San Jose salary-clearing transaction would still be necessary if Edvinsson signed a major contract.
The Salary-Cap Problem: Can the Sharks Afford Edvinsson?
According to PuckPedia, San Jose has approximately $2.83 million in current cap space, versus roughly $28.17 million for Detroit. Those figures fluctuate daily.
Edvinsson’s previous contract carried a $894,167 cap hit, but that deal has expired. He currently has no signed 2026–27 NHL contract. Pagnotta reported in October that Detroit had offered approximately $8.5 million annually over six years, while Edvinsson was seeking around $11 million per season on a long-term agreement.
Let’s test a hypothetical seven-year contract at $9.5 million annually. That number is my modelling assumption, not an agreed contract or a new insider report.
| Cap Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| San Jose projected cap space | $2,279,668 |
| Misa’s outgoing base cap hit | +$986,250 |
| Edvinsson hypothetical new AAV | −$9,500,000 |
| Additional cap room needed | Approximately $6.23M |
Simplified full-season projected-cap model, not a transaction approval. Performance bonuses, daily accrual, roster changes and other accounting may affect the actual calculation. Source: PuckPedia, November 6.
That is the hidden challenge. Trading Misa alone would not create enough flexibility to sign Edvinsson at this proposed salary. General manager Mike Grier would need another meaningful roster move. Retaining Edvinsson’s existing salary isn’t an option because he has no active contract on which Detroit could retain salary.
Why Simon Edvinsson Makes Sense for the San Jose Sharks
Edvinsson offers something San Jose cannot easily manufacture: a 6-foot-6, left-shot defenseman with NHL top-four experience and room to grow. He could become a long-term piece alongside a young core featuring Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
There is a positional complication. San Jose’s recent defensive group includes left-shot players Sam Dickinson, Darnell Nurse and Dmitry Orlov, with Jacob Trouba and Michael Kesselring among the right-side options. Edvinsson could eventually work beside Kesselring or Trouba, but acquiring him would require a reshuffle rather than simply filling an empty position.
I see this as a long-term investment more than an immediate power-play solution. San Jose would be acquiring prime-age defensive potential at the cost of elite forward depth and significant future cap flexibility.
What the Detroit Red Wings Want in Return
Detroit’s reported insistence on additional value makes sense. Edvinsson and Moritz Seider could anchor the Red Wings’ defense for years. Moving one of them creates a replacement problem.
Misa would help Detroit’s forward succession plan. Dylan Larkin remains a central veteran piece, while Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson represent younger options. Misa offers another potential high-end centre or scoring-wing solution.
The historical comparisons are revealing. Colorado exchanged Bowen Byram for Casey Mittelstadt in a one-for-one positional trade in March 2024. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, received J.J. Moser, Conor Geekie and two draft picks for Mikhail Sergachev in June 2024. Those deals show two different valuations of young defensive talent, although neither is an exact Edvinsson comparison.
Edvinsson’s unsigned status adds another uncertainty. Detroit shouldn’t accept a discount simply because negotiations have stalled, but San Jose shouldn’t pay a premium without reasonable confidence it can sign him.
For further context, see our earlier report on Elliotte Friedman’s Red Wings–Sharks discussions and Darren Dreger’s update on interest from Boston.
Simon Edvinsson Trade Rumor Meter: Will Detroit and San Jose Make a Deal?
Active discussions, but major obstacles remain: the asking price, contract negotiation and San Jose’s cap position. This is my editorial assessment, not a statistical forecast.
Final Thoughts: My Verdict on an Edvinsson–Misa Trade
My prediction: I don’t expect this exact trade package to be completed immediately. I believe the discussions are serious, but Detroit has little reason to rush into accepting Misa alone, while San Jose faces real financial and lineup complications.
The December 1 restricted-free-agent signing deadline adds pressure. If Edvinsson wants to play this NHL season, he must have a valid contract by that deadline.
I would watch for two developments: whether San Jose agrees to add a meaningful future asset, and whether Grier creates additional cap flexibility. Until both happen, retaining and eventually signing Edvinsson remains a credible alternative for Detroit.
