Simon Edvinsson is back in Sweden, leaving Todd McLellan and the Red Wings with a major blue-line issue days before opening night.
Detroit still hasn't reached a new contract with the restricted free-agent defenseman. The timing is becoming impossible to ignore with the regular season about to begin.
Edvinsson had been around the Red Wings during training camp, taking part in practices while staying out of full-contact scrimmages as negotiations continued.
That arrangement has now changed. Edvinsson has returned to Sweden and was set to practice with Frölunda on Wednesday, the club where he developed before coming to North America.
Detroit's situation is straightforward: one of McLellan's most important defensemen isn't currently available to his NHL team. The Red Wings need clarity before their lineup settles into regular-season mode.
-
The 23-year-old is coming off a season in which he recorded 9 goals and 16 assists across 72 games. His role went well beyond the scoresheet.
Edvinsson averaged 22:21 per game, giving Detroit a major workload on the blue line alongside Moritz Seider. Replacing those minutes isn't a minor lineup adjustment.
Edvinsson's return to Sweden raises the pressure
The clip from Wednesday shows Edvinsson moving through a Frölunda practice in full gear, handling the puck and staying ready while his NHL contract remains unresolved.
-
The practice doesn't mean Edvinsson is leaving Detroit permanently. But seeing him on another team's ice this close to the NHL opener gives the contract situation a much different feel.
For McLellan, the immediate concern is deployment. Detroit built its blue line with Edvinsson expected to handle heavy minutes, difficult matchups and an important spot near the top of the depth chart.
The longer he stays away, the more Detroit has to prepare alternatives. That can push another defenseman into tougher minutes and force McLellan to reshape pairings before the season has even started.
Edvinsson's presence in Sweden also removes the unusual middle ground Detroit had during camp, when he could practice with teammates without playing preseason games.
The Red Wings are almost at puck drop. Edvinsson is still unsigned, and now he's keeping himself ready an ocean away from Detroit.
Should the Red Wings get Simon Edvinsson signed before opening night?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Mike Babcock confirms the worst for the Edmonton Oilers and fans will want to look away
