Maple Leafs get bad news concerning defenseman Simon Edvinsson

David Pagnotta was asked about the Leafs and the disgruntled Detroit Red Wings defenseman, and his answer was short:

For a team hunting a long-term fix on the back end, that is a notable setback.

Edvinsson checks plenty of boxes. The 23-year-old was drafted sixth overall in 2021, stands 6-foot-6 and put up a career-best nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season. He moves the puck well and would give Toronto another weapon on the power play.

Toronto has also been open about wanting a big swing on the blue line. Reports have the Leafs willing to move young assets and their 2027 first-round pick from Colorado to land a defenseman, and Edvinsson offers the upside to justify the price.

Detroit has not made this easy. The Red Wings have told other clubs their top priority is still signing the restricted free agent, and they reportedly want players back in any deal rather than picks and prospects. That is a tough fit for a Leafs group offering mostly futures.

Edvinsson has also kept his stance. He prefers a trade, and Pagnotta reported earlier this month that a six-year offer worth roughly $8.5 million per season was not enough to get a deal done. Philadelphia, Seattle and Nashville have also reportedly checked in, so Toronto is far from alone.

Toronto still has other routes. Pagnotta has suggested the Leafs could escalate conversations with Calgary about defenseman Zach Whitecloud, and the Erik Karlsson chatter has not gone away either.

Neither player has Edvinsson's age or ceiling, but both would help a blue line in clear need of reinforcements.

For now, the Edvinsson door appears to be closing, though with Detroit's price and the player's contract stance unsettled, this saga is far from over.

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