The Detroit Red WIngs have less than three weeks to sign or trade Simon Edvinsson.
The longer this drags out, the worse it gets for both parties. Edvinsson, obviously, has to go without playing hockey, while the Red Wings slowly depreciate an asset they can use on both the lineup and in trade talks. While it's clear there are several California teams very interested in Edvinsson, Red Wings interim GM Shawn Horcoff's priority is to keep the young Swede around.
“I’d still like to sign Simon, but I think when it’s someone like that and the situation that we’re in, you can’t help but take calls,” Horcoff said. “It’s my job to do what’s in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings. I’m going to take all those calls and hear what people have to say.”
According to Darren Dreger on OverDrive, the California teams - that is, the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks - are all heavily interested in Edvinsson. Of the three teams mentioned, the one most frequently associated with Edvinsson is the Sharks, who, if rumors are believed to be true, may even offer second overall pick Michael Misa in negotiations.
It's unclear whether that's true -- or whether or not the Red Wings would accept that offer. But, at this point in time, the Red Wings are running out of runway to sign their top pairing defenseman.
Red Wings need left defenseman with or without Edvinsson
If the last few games of Ben Chiarot on the top pairing are any indication, the Red Wings are in dire need of a left side defender.
At this point in his career, Chiarot doesn't bring all that much to the table. Sure, he's a big bodied defenseman capable of throwing around his weight once in a while, but, beyond that, he hasn't done much to produce. This season, Chiarot has just two assists in 19 games, playing the lion's share of the season on the top pair alongside Moritz Seider.
To make matters worse, he's on the books for another two seasons with the Red Wings.
Beyond Chiarot, the Red Wings have William Wallinder, a promising rookie, and Albert Johansson, who is currently on injured reserve. Andreas Englund has filled in since Edvinsson's absence, but he isn't much of a needle-mover in terms of legitimate talent.
The Red Wings attempted the Wallinder experiment last night against the St. Louis Blues, but, after two periods, they returned him to his pairing alongside Justin Faulk.
Thus, they've returned to the drawing board once again.
Edvinsson still hoping something gets done
Edvinsson is currently staying in Nashville, where he's practicing privately on the same rink as the Nashville Predators. Edvinsson, who came to practice in Nashville due to fellow Swede Filip Forsberg, is still hoping something gets done, according to Predators reporter Nick Kieser.
What that "something" could be is anyone's guess. Is Edvinsson referring to a trade? A contract extension? If Elliotte Friedman's implications are believed to be true, Edvinsson might just want a fresh start with another organization.
If that's the case, the team needs to get moving on this as quickly as possible.
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