What’s the latest on Simon Edvinsson, Dylan Larkin, and Alexander Nikishin? Are the Flyers and Panthers looking for help? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST RED WINGS RUMORS

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli reports sources say the Detroit Red Wings still want NHL-ready talent in return for Simon Edvinsson. However, they’re also open to the right package of draft picks and prospects for the 23-year-old restricted free-agent defenseman.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Seravalli wondered if the Red Wings are starting to come to grips with the reality of “rebuilding the rebuild” following a decade-long postseason drought. If Edvinsson is traded, center Dylan Larkin (who requested a trade this summer) could be next, with pending unrestricted free agent winger Alex DeBrincat another trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have reportedly made Edvinsson their priority. It’s believed they’re considering several different contract proposals. However, they cannot let this drag on for long. The deadline for signing restricted free agents is Dec. 1.

CASINO.ORG: Seravalli also claims the Montreal Canadiens would love to acquire Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. However, the 30-year-old center hasn’t included Canadian teams on his eight-team list of preferred trade destinations.

Seravalli cited an NHL front-office executive who believes Larkin could “end this saga tomorrow if he added the Canadiens to his list.” The executive thinks the Habs “are the one team with a chance to contend who can give Detroit what it wants for Larkin.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli pointed out the Canadiens convinced Chris Kreider to sign with them. Given Kreider’s ties to Canadiens hockey ops president Jeff Gorton, head coach Martin St. Louis, and head trainer Jim Ramsay, that wasn’t a difficult sell.

The Canadiens will likely keep tabs on Larkin’s situation, but it’s unlikely he’ll include a Canadian team on his list.

NIKISHIN NOT A TYPICAL RESTRICTED FREE AGENT

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli pointed out that Alexander Nikishin is “not a true restricted free agent by the definition of the CBA.” The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a “10.2 (c) player without the right of first refusal via an offer sheet”, meaning whatever contract he signs now will have the same effect on the salary cap as a typical contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson, on the other hand, is a “true RFA”, meaning his new contract will result in an increased cap hit with an in-season signing. Seravalli points out that, if Edvinsson signed a seven-year deal worth $70 million today, it would be worth $10.4 million annually instead of $10 million in the first year. It increases for each day missed in the season.

It’s the same formula used during William Nylander’s long contract negotiation in 2018, when the first year of his deal was a prorated $10.2 million.

Seravalli also pointed out that Nikishin doesn’t fall under the Dec. 1 deadline for signing RFAs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He also reports that the Hurricanes continue to work with Nikishin’s agent to find a trade. Whoever acquires him must be prepared for a hefty prorated dent in their salary-cap payroll this season.

FLYERS COULD PURSUE DEFENSIVE HELP

CASINO.ORG: Seravalli reports the Philadelphia Flyers continue to monitor the trade market in search of defensemen with size.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony DiMarco suggested Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames, Justin Faulk of the Detroit Red Wings, and Luke Schenn of the Vancouver Canucks as possible trade targets for the Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rebuilding Flames will want a significant return of futures for Whitecloud. He’s under contract through 2026-27, so they’re not in a hurry to move him.

Faulk is UFA-eligible this summer and has a 15-team no-trade list. The Red Wings could prefer waiting until the calendar flips to 2027 before deciding to become sellers, and there’s no certainty the Flyers will be on Faulk’s list of destinations.

Like Faulk, Schenn is also slated for UFA status next summer. However, he has a full NMC and could prefer to play out this season in Vancouver. The Canucks aren’t in a rush to move him given his role as a mentor to young blueliner Zeev Buium.

Seravalli thinks Edvinsson would be a great fit with the Flyers. He certainly would be, provided he’s willing to sign with them.

WHO COULD THE PANTHERS TARGET TO REPLACE BRAD MARCHAND?

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards explored the Panthers’ options to replace Brad Marchand if the veteran winger is sidelined long-term with a lower-body injury. The 38-year-old Marchand suffered the injury earlier this week against the Los Angeles Kings.

Richards considered a trade for Red Wings center Dylan Larkin unlikely, citing his expensive average annual value ($8.7 million) and the cost of acquiring him from the Red Wings.

Free-agent options could include former Panthers winger Vladimir Tarasenko and former 44-goal scorer Patrik Laine. They could also promote Cole Reinhardt from their AHL affiliate in Charlotte.