Simon Edvinsson Skates at Rival Facility With Trade Deadline Near

Unsigned Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson was recently spotted skating at the practice facility of a former Central Division rival.

The rink belongs to the Nashville Predators.

The video was posted Thursday on Instagram by Dustin Smith, a former Predators practice goaltender.

The Tennessean identified the location as Centennial Ice Rink, which the Predators list as their official practice facility.

Edvinsson is wearing full Red Wings gear in the clip.

That detail has kept Detroit fans staring at the footage.

A team spokesperson told the Tennessean that Thursday's session was a "private ice rental."

The spokesperson added that the Predators "would not comment on any other team's players."

Edvinsson remains an unsigned restricted free agent for the Red Wings.

He has not played a single game this season.

The deadline for Edvinsson to sign a contract and be eligible to play in the NHL this season is December 1.

That is less than four weeks away.

Edvinsson reported to Detroit's Training Camp in September and participated in non-scrimmage on-ice drills.

Frustrated by the lack of progress on a new contract, he returned to his native Sweden.

He eventually returned to the Eastern seaboard of the United States to work with a trainer.

Now he has been seen in Nashville.

Edvinsson is represented by CAA, and the Tennessean noted the agency has offices in Nashville.

That gives him a reason to be in the city that has nothing to do with the Predators' blue line.

A rink the Predators rent out is still a rink.

But the timing has raised eyebrows across the league.

Detroit Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said in his most recent press availability that there were no new updates regarding progress on a new contract.

He called the situation "status quo."

Weeks prior, while discussing the extension for forward Alex DeBrincat, Horcoff said in no uncertain terms that he has zero intention of trading Edvinsson.

Horcoff stated that the club would like to get him signed to a new deal.

Edvinsson has reportedly asked the Wings to trade him, according to The Fourth Period.

He is listed on injured reserve because of the contract dispute.

Nashville is one of the teams that has been connected to an Edvinsson trade.

The Tennessean reported the Predators have been among the clubs rumored to have interest.

TSN reported on October 30 that as many as 10 teams had talked to Detroit about Edvinsson.

The San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins were the two teams named in that report.

The Montreal Canadiens have also been linked to Edvinsson since Tuesday, according to The Fourth Period.

Other teams mentioned alongside the Blues, Predators, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Kraken, Flyers, Bruins, and Sharks.

Edvinsson is 6-foot-6 and 23 years old.

He is already viewed as one of the league's better two-way defensemen.

The Red Wings selected him sixth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.