Alex Daugherty reported Friday that Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson has been skating in Nashville, and the Predators are believed to be interested.
Edvinsson is a restricted free agent, and he's listed on injured reserve with a contract dispute, out indefinitely. He hasn't played a game this season. For a player drafted sixth overall in 2021, that's a long way from where Detroit hoped he'd be.
When Daugherty reached out for comment, a spokesperson said Edvinsson was part of a "private ice rental" and that they can't comment on other teams' players. Edvinsson's agency, CAA, also has an office in Nashville.
Nashville is believed to be among the teams that have shown interest, and the Predators have talked more than once about upgrading their blue line. They're 7-4-5 and riding a three-game winning streak after Thursday's 3-2 overtime win in Colorado.
The Sharks are the other name in the mix. Chris Johnston reported that San Jose is looking for a big name to bring in, and that talks with Detroit about Edvinsson have seemed to stall. That fits with David Pagnotta's Edvinsson trade update from Thursday, which said the Red Wings are fielding a lot of interest.
Why the Sharks make sense for Edvinsson
San Jose is 7-9-1 and has lost three straight, including a 2-7 loss in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Sharks are in Minnesota tonight, and they've allowed 61 goals this season.
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | DIFF | |
| 1. Edmonton Oilers | 17 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 25 | +18 |
| 2. Vegas Golden Knights | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 24 | +10 |
| 3. Seattle Kraken | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 19 | +1 |
| 4. Anaheim Ducks | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 17 | -2 |
| 5. Calgary Flames | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 15 | -16 |
| 6. San Jose Sharks | 17 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 15 | -17 |
| 7. Los Angeles Kings | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 12 | -4 |
| 8. Vancouver Canucks | 18 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 7 | -30 |
That number is the argument. A 6'6, 220-pound defenseman who's 23 and already has 175 NHL games and 60 points is the kind of piece a team in that spot should chase, rather than another short-term fix. He fits better than a rental would.
Detroit has its own problems. The Red Wings are 7-7-3, have lost two straight, and sit 20th in the NHL. They face a decision on Edvinsson while Dylan Larkin's trade market is also a live topic.
Nothing is done, and no one has reported a deal. Detroit visits Colorado on Saturday, the same night Nashville hosts St. Louis and San Jose travels to Dallas.
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMES: Kevin Bahl is out with a lower body injury and won't play tonight against the Ducks, the team announced. It's a tough one to lose right before puck drop.
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BOSTON BRUINS: Mark Divver reports that Mikey Eyssimont is back in the Bruins lineup after missing a game with a puck to the mouth. Good news for the bottom six.
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UTAH MAMMOTH: Walt Ruff noted that the Mammoth have 19 different goal scorers this season. Logan Cooley leads the way with 11 of the team's 61 goals, which is a lot of balance and one clear driver.
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LOS ANGELES KINGS: The Hockeytown West Podcast says the Kings had representatives at tonight's Grand Rapids Griffins game, alongside the Blues, Predators and Hurricanes. That's a crowded press box.
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COLORADO AVALANCHE: Helene St. James reported Friday that the Red Wings practiced ahead of their trip to Colorado. The Avalanche are looking to stop a two-game losing streak.
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Should the Sharks pay the price to land Simon Edvinsson from the Red Wings?
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The Dylan Larkin saga just got stranger after a new report from outside the arena
