Restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson has indicated he would prefer the Detroit Red Wings to trade him, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on "Saturday Headlines."
The Red Wings have told inquiring teams that their priority is to sign the 23-year-old, Friedman noted.
Edvinsson was eligible to ink a new contract during the offseason, but a tumultuous summer in Detroit has led the blue-liner to return home to Sweden as he awaits a resolution.
Former Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade after the club missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive campaign. He has yet to be moved and was heavily booed by home fans during the club's season opener on Friday when he was introduced as a scratch.
Disgruntled Red Wings supporters also chanted "sell the team" during the shoutout loss to the New York Rangers.
Steve Yzerman stepped down as Red Wings general manager in July, leaving the position vacant until September. Detroit ultimately named Shawn Horcoff as interim general manager.
Detroit has over $16 million in cap space to work out a deal with Edvinsson, per PuckPedia. However, he should have no shortage of suitors if he remains on the trade market. The 6-foot-6 rearguard averaged over 22 minutes per contest last season and led all Red Wings defensemen with a plus-12 rating.
