With the season opener looming, Detroit’s front office faces a high-stakes stalemate as they attempt to lock down their top defensive prospect amid a shifting market.
With the Detroit Red Wings' season opener against the New York Rangers set for this Friday, standout defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains without a contract.
The 23-year-old Swedish blueliner is still a restricted free agent, and while a deal needs to get done if Detroit wants him in the lineup on opening night, negotiations have yet to produce an agreement.
There is some encouraging news on the ice as Edvinsson has been spotted skating and practicing with the team, with a sign of a holdout not expected. Still, the clock is ticking as Detroit looks to lock up one of its most important young defensemen before the regular season begins.
According to multiple reports, the Red Wings had a deal on the table for Edvinsson earlier this offseason, but may have been postponed due to Steve Yzerman no longer serving as general manager. In the time since, several marquee defensemen around the league have signed mega deals, which will likely force Detroit to pay more than they would have under their initial offer.
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Last Friday on his 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Red Wings were looking to get a bridge deal done with Edvinsson. By Monday's episode, however, Friedman had no update to offer on the situation.
According to insider Pierre LeBrun, the negotiations have been a grind, with a gap between the two parties that both sides are working to bridge. There are several possible explanations for the delay, including Edvinsson preferring a longer-term commitment while Detroit wants a different structure, or a disagreement over the value of the contract itself.
The two sides were expected to speak Sunday and again Monday, but no extension has been announced. Regardless of what the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft ultimately signs for, all eyes will be on Edvinsson to live up to the deal once it's done.
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