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NHL Notebook: Edvinsson ‘would prefer’ a trade out of Detroit, Ovechkin retiring after 2025-26, and more

Photo credit: © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

By David Quadrelli

Oct 5, 2026, 14:45 EDTUpdated: Oct 5, 2026, 14:39 EDT

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Welcome back to NHL Notebook — the series here at CanucksArmy where we deliver you news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a Vancouver Canucks-tinted lens!

It was a fun opening week to the 2025-26 NHL season for the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks. The club finished week one with a 2-2 record, but went 4-for-4 in playing a high-effort and high-energy style of play that’s easy for fans to get behind. That’s got to count for something, right?! We’ve talked plenty about the Canucks, and in today’s NHL Notebook, we’re going to cruise around the league and discuss some notable headlines.

Simon Edvinsson ‘would prefer’ a trade out of Detroit

What a disaster the Detroit Red Wings have become. There’s the fiasco surrounding their now-former captain Dylan Larkin, who is still on the team but has reportedly hardly expanded his trade list after asking out over the summer. Steve Yzerman has “stepped down” as GM, and the club still doesn’t have Simon Edvinsson signed. That last part is the one we’re going to hone in on here.

Edvinsson, who the Red Wings drafted sixth overall in 2021, is a restricted free agent in need of a new contract. The Red Wings are in a stalemate with the 23-year-old, who tallied 25 points in 72 games last season. Listed at 6’6, 222 pounds, Edvinsson has tremendous size and is a highly-regarded young blueliner. Because he didn’t have a contract in place, Edvinsson returned home to Sweden and has been skating with his former SHL club, Frolunda.

And on Saturday night, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that at this point, Edvinsson would prefer a trade out of Detroit.

The Canucks angle on this news is obviously “would this player make sense for them?”, but that’s a longer conversation, and one we’ll save for tomorrow when Stephan Roget tackles the topic…

Ovechkin announces retirement following 2026-27 season

2026-27 will mark Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season. The NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer shared the news with his teammates on Monday morning, and later put out a statement through the team:

“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL. I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them
“I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career.
“See you Wednesday, babes!”

Ovechkin turned 41 years old in September. His final game in Vancouver will come on December 7th and will mark Ovechkin’s final time playing against the Canucks.

Flames place Conor Zary on NHL waivers

The Calgary Flames placed forward Conor Zary on waivers on Monday morning. Zary, who just turned 25 last month, has amassed 87 points in 193 NHL games with the Flames to this point in his career. Zary is signed for both this season and next, and his contract carries a $3.775 million cap hit.

Canucks spin on this: If the Canucks were to claim Zary, you’d think he and DPetey would have a hatchet that needs burying…