What’s the latest on Simon Edvinsson? Could the Maple Leafs make another big move this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman, Shayna Goldman, and Corey Pronman looked at the Detroit Red Wings’ options in Simon Edvinsson contract negotiations and the trade market.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Edvinsson’s value would be high in the trade market. Some believe he could become a No. 1 defenseman, while others see him as a strong No. 2 or 3 blueliner.

Pronman looked at recent trades involving comparable defensemen. They included one-for-one deals (Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen) or a package deal (Jamie Drysdale as the centerpiece for Cutter Gauthier).

A return for the Red Wings would have to include “a major young player (or more than one)”.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders would have a complicated path to acquiring Edvinsson, but not an impossible one.

With defenseman Alexander Romanov sidelined by a knee injury for the rest of the season, Sears believes the Islanders have the cap space to try and sign Edvinsson to an offer sheet. They would gain $6.25 million in cap space by placing Romanov on long-term injured reserve, provided Romanov is also out for the playoffs. The Islanders would also have to add to their current cap payroll to push them to the cap ceiling to be eligible for full cap relief.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sears raised several scenarios for the Islanders to put themselves in a position to offer-sheet Edvinsson. He’s right that it’s not impossible, but it would be so complicated that they’re unlikely to go that route.

Nevertheless, Sears’ column raises the question of whether other clubs might attempt to sign Edvinsson to an offer sheet. He reportedly rejected several overtures during the summer.

Some observers suggest signing him to a one-year, high-cost offer sheet that would make it difficult for the Red Wings to match, but few teams have the cap space or the necessary compensatory draft picks in 20227 to make that pitch.

Edvinsson reportedly prefers a trade, which suggests he’s still not interested in an offer sheet. It’s doubtful he’ll want a one-year deal. Signing him to a multi-year offer sheet in-season would come with a higher prorated cap hit for this season.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, James Mirtle was asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs would acquire a top-four defenseman this season.

Mirtle believes they’ll try, indicating that they possess some trade capital. They have the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in each of the next three drafts, and some decent prospects.

However, he doesn’t see them targeting young RFA defensemen like Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes or Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings. He pointed to the high acquisition cost plus the expensive contracts they’re believed to be seeking.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have $5.775 million in cap space with Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on LTIR. If they’re going to shop for a defenseman, they’ll likely try to move a salary or two in the process.

Asked when the Maple Leafs might attempt to trade Morgan Rielly, Mirtle noted that the 32-year-old defenseman is willing to waive his no-movement clause for a handful of teams. He thinks the Maple Leafs could revisit that if this season goes sideways, especially if they’re looking to add a top-four blueliner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Rielly will depend on whether his trade value has improved. He’s signed through 2029-30 with an AAV of $7.5 million, which could be difficult to move if his performance isn’t any better.