RFA Simon Edvinsson No Longer Has Locker In Red Wings' Room As Contract Stalemate Goes On

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Talk about being thrown into the fire. New Detroit Red Wings (Interim) GM Shawn Horcoff has had a difficult first couple of weeks on the job, dealing with the Dylan Larkin situation, and having to try to get top restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson under contract. 

And while the young D-man was with the team during training camp on a PTO because he didn't want to get left behind as the team readied itself for the season, opening night rosters have to be completed today, and Edvinsson no longer has a place on the ice with the team. He doesn't even have a locker anymore.

Max Bultman reports that Edvinsson did not practice on Monday, and no longer has a locker in the Red Wings' dressing room. 

“As of today, Simon is not practicing with the team," announced Horcoff. "The organization will continue conversations with Simon and his representatives.” 

The latest reports have the Wings looking to do a shorter-term bridge deal at this point. Insider Pierre LeBrun has said that the negotiations have been "a grind", with a gap between the two parties.

A deal was reportedly on the table for the 23-year-old blueliner earlier in the offseason, but that was before the virtual explosion of salaries, and his ask has obviously gone up significantly. 

Insider Jeff Marek said today he's heard that, eventually, a long-term did will get done, at something in the neighborhood of seven years and $10M AAV. 

As of now, it appears that Detroit may be forced to start their season this coming Friday without a top-pairing defenseman. In fact, their season-opening roster doesn't include Edvinsson or Larkin.