The New York Islanders suddenly have a reason to explore one of the NHL’s most intriguing contract situations, and the Detroit Red Wings might not like what comes next.
With Alexander Romanov expected to miss six to eight months after tearing his ACL, the Islanders have lost an important piece of their blue line. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Detroit defenceman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned, with NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reporting that the former first-round pick would prefer a trade out of Detroit.
Here is where things get interesting.
A recent New York Post analysis outlined how the Islanders could potentially pursue Edvinsson with a one-year offer sheet worth between $9 million and $9.5 million. Such a move would force the Red Wings into a difficult decision: match the offer or accept draft-pick compensation.
There is no confirmed Islanders offer or negotiation. However, the possibility raises a fascinating question: could New York take advantage of Detroit’s contract stalemate and turn a devastating injury into an opportunity to acquire a future top-pairing defenceman?
Why the New York Islanders Could Target Simon Edvinsson
Edvinsson to Islanders: The Fit Index
Original NHLTradeRumor.com editorial scoring: 70/100. The index evaluates potential player fit relative to cost and practical barriers. It is not a statistical trade probability, an insider projection, or a financial valuation.
Romanov’s injury changes the Islanders’ defensive outlook.
The 26-year-old carries a $6.25 million annual salary-cap hit and was expected to provide physicality, defensive stability and difficult minutes against opposing top forwards.
Losing him this early in the season leaves general manager Mathieu Darche with a complicated problem.
The Islanders can attempt to replace those minutes internally with players such as Logan Stanley, Scott Mayfield or prospects in their system. But that does not necessarily replace Romanov’s combination of mobility, physical play and defensive responsibility.
Edvinsson offers something different.
At 6-foot-6, the Swedish defenceman has the reach, skating ability, and puck-moving skills to become a legitimate top-pairing NHL player.
He also fits a younger defensive core that includes Matthew Schaefer.
From my perspective, that is what makes this potential Islanders move so interesting. New York would not simply be acquiring someone to cover Romanov’s absence. It could be adding a major defensive building block for the next decade.
And opportunities to acquire 23-year-old defencemen with Edvinsson’s ceiling rarely become available.
The $9 Million Offer Sheet That Could Put Detroit in a Difficult Position
This is where the salary-cap mathematics and NHL collective bargaining agreement become especially important.
The Islanders could theoretically structure a one-year Edvinsson offer sheet between $9 million and $9.5 million.
Under the 2026 offer-sheet compensation thresholds, an accepted offer in that range would cost New York its own first-, second- and third-round draft picks in 2027 if Detroit declined to match.
That is a significant price, especially for a team that must protect its future.
However, there is another important detail.
Former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Steve Werier explained through PuckPedia that if Detroit matched a one-year offer sheet, Edvinsson could become a restricted free agent again in July 2027 while remaining ineligible to be traded for one full calendar year after the match.
In other words, Detroit could potentially face another difficult negotiation next summer without being allowed to trade him until October.
That is the real pressure point.
The Islanders would not necessarily need to convince Detroit it cannot afford the contract. They would need to make the consequences of matching uncomfortable enough to consider.
Can the Islanders Afford Simon Edvinsson Under the Salary Cap?
Can the Islanders Afford a $9M Edvinsson Offer?
NHLTradeRumor.com original calculation. These are comparisons of annual cap hits, not available cap-space estimates. Romanov’s cap hit stays on the books during LTIR, and usable relief depends on NHL roster and LTIR calculations. New York may need additional roster moves and must consider Romanov’s possible return. Figures in USD.
Romanov’s $6.25 million cap hit provides a potential starting point for calculating the Islanders’ options if long-term injured reserve relief becomes available.
A $9 million Edvinsson contract exceeds that figure by $2.75 million. A $9.5 million contract creates a $3.25 million difference.
That does not establish the Islanders’ actual available cap room. Romanov’s cap hit remains on the books, LTIR relief is governed by specific roster calculations, and New York would need to account for its other contracts and possible roster moves.
If Romanov returned before the season or playoffs ended, additional cap complications could emerge.
The Islanders would also need Edvinsson to agree to sign the offer sheet in the first place.
What Simon Edvinsson’s Numbers Reveal About His Trade Value
The Numbers Behind Edvinsson’s Value
Source: Sportsnet, Oct. 7, 2026, using 2025-26 five-on-five data. The on-ice pairing and off-ice comparison reflect different game situations and players. This is descriptive context, not evidence that Edvinsson individually caused the entire difference. Editorial graphic: NHLTradeRumor.com.
Detroit has a compelling reason to resist any attempt to acquire Edvinsson.
He recorded nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 72 games during the 2025–26 NHL season, averaging 22:21 of ice time.
More importantly, his impact extends beyond traditional scoring.
Sportsnet’s analysis found that Detroit controlled 52.6% of expected goals at five-on-five when Edvinsson and Moritz Seider played together last season. That figure dropped to 44.2% when both players were off the ice.
Those results cannot be credited entirely to one defenceman, but they illustrate how valuable the combination became.
Detroit has spent years attempting to assemble a defence capable of competing consistently in the Atlantic Division.
Losing Edvinsson now would mean removing one of the organization’s most important young players just as he approaches his prime.
This is why I believe trading him would be a much bigger setback for the Red Wings than signing him to a substantial long-term contract.
Could the Detroit Red Wings Actually Let Edvinsson Leave?
Despite the speculation, Detroit continues to prioritize a contract agreement.
Friedman has reported that the Red Wings moved beyond their original preference for a bridge contract and have explored longer-term offers.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has also publicly emphasized Edvinsson’s importance to the organization.
That is an important distinction.
The Red Wings are not publicly shopping Edvinsson. They are trying to retain him.
And although the Islanders could make a compelling offer, Detroit possesses the right to match a qualifying offer sheet.
My expectation is that the Red Wings would strongly consider matching anything in the $9 million range, particularly given how difficult it would be to replace a young left-shot defenceman of Edvinsson’s calibre.
The more intriguing question is whether matching a one-year deal would truly resolve the relationship between player and organization.
That uncertainty is exactly why the Islanders scenario deserves attention.
My Prediction: The Islanders Have Leverage, but Detroit Still Controls the Outcome
I believe the Islanders should investigate what it would take to acquire Edvinsson, whether through a negotiated trade or an offer sheet.
The fit makes sense. The age makes sense. The defensive need is obvious.
However, surrendering three valuable draft picks and potentially committing more than $9 million to a player who has yet to establish himself as a consistent offensive force carries considerable risk.
For Detroit, there is an equally important lesson.
Allowing contract negotiations with a foundational player to stretch into the regular season can create opportunities for rival organizations.
The Red Wings may still get Edvinsson signed without making a trade. In fact, I consider that the most likely outcome based on the reporting currently available.
But with the Islanders searching for answers following Romanov’s injury, Detroit has one more reason to settle this situation.
The biggest question is no longer whether Simon Edvinsson is worth $9 million. It is whether the Detroit Red Wings are prepared to risk losing him rather than finding a contract both sides can accept.
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