Another Red Wings player stops practicing with team and refuses to report just days before season opener

The Detroit Red Wings just can't catch a break heading into opening night.

Simon Edvinsson, the 23-year-old defenseman still without a contract, is no longer practicing with the team, and he becomes another name on a growing list of Detroit situations that remain unresolved.

Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff addressed it Monday, saying Edvinsson is not practicing as of today and that the organization will keep talking with him and his representatives.

No timeline, no hint that a deal is close.

Here's what makes it sting.

Edvinsson showed up. He joined camp on a professional tryout agreement and skated when he had every right to stay home in Sweden.

Now, with the season opener against the New York Rangers set for Friday, he's off the ice and reportedly doesn't have a locker in the room anymore.

Edvinsson is a restricted free agent, so Detroit still holds his rights, but that doesn't help the lineup.

The sixth overall pick in 2021 put up nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season, and only Moritz Seider logged more ice time per game among Red Wings players.

Then there's Dylan Larkin. He asked for a trade in June, lost the captaincy and has been working back from an upper-body injury.

Elliotte Friedman reported he has expanded his list of acceptable destinations to eight teams.

Horcoff called signing Edvinsson a priority the moment he took over and sounded hopeful it would get done quickly.

Almost two weeks later, there's still nothing.

Without a contract, Edvinsson can't play a regular-season game.

The blue line is thinner without him, and Friday is coming fast.

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