Simon Edvinsson Spotted Training at Rival Team's Practice Facility

If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan already feeling uneasy about the Simon Edvinsson contract standoff, you might want to sit down for this one. The 23-year-old restricted free agent, who has been without a deal since the offseason began and has reportedly expressed a desire to be traded, was caught on camera doing something that's going to raise a whole lot of eyebrows around the hockey world.

On November 5th, former Nashville Predators emergency backup goaltender Dustin Smith shared a video on Instagram showing Edvinsson skating in full gear at Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tennessee. Yes, that Centennial Sportsplex. The same facility where the Predators hold their practices. Edvinsson was running through drills and firing pucks while wearing Red Wings gear, and he even commented on the post himself, writing, "Great to be out there with ya." So this isn't some grainy, unverified sighting. The man confirmed it himself.

Nashville's Interest Is No Secret

Now, before everyone loses their minds, the Predators were quick to offer an explanation. A team spokesperson described Edvinsson's presence at the rink as part of a "private ice rental" and added that the organization "would not comment on any other team's players." It's also worth noting that Edvinsson is represented by CAA, which has offices in Nashville, so there could be a perfectly innocent reason for him to be in town.

But here's where it gets interesting. Just a week before Edvinsson was spotted at the Predators' practice facility, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed on Nashville radio that Predators general manager Chris MacFarland has been actively pursuing Edvinsson. Friedman's exact words were pretty telling: "He's in on Edvinsson. You guys are there." MacFarland has publicly stated multiple times that upgrading Nashville's blue line is a priority, and a 6-foot-6, 225-pound left-handed defenseman who is widely regarded as one of the best young blueliners in the league would certainly fit that bill.

Edvinsson has been keeping himself busy while waiting for his situation to resolve. He's reportedly been training in Florida alongside the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Laine, both of whom are also waiting for their next NHL opportunities. In 175 career games with Detroit, Edvinsson has posted 19 goals and 41 assists while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. He's the kind of player teams don't let go of easily.

What Would a Deal Even Look Like?

The Red Wings sent Edvinsson a qualifying offer back on June 30, retaining his rights and keeping the door open for negotiations. But the summer came and went without a deal getting done, and by early October, Friedman reported that Edvinsson "preferred to be traded" out of Detroit. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff stated on October 14 that he had no intention of moving the defenseman, but that stance could shift depending on how this drags on.

Reports suggest Detroit is looking for a hefty return if they do move Edvinsson, with rumors indicating the Red Wings want three young pieces in any trade package. Nashville has the assets to make something happen. MacFarland has four first-round picks over the next three drafts, along with players like Shane Wright, Ryan O'Reilly, Brady Martin, and Steven Stamkos who could be part of discussions. Blue line pieces such as Roman Josi, Nicolas Hague, and Nick Perbix might also catch Detroit's eye. A potential package could look something like Brady Martin, Ryan O'Reilly, David Edstrom, and a first-round pick heading to Detroit, though that's purely speculative at this point.

Of course, any team trading for Edvinsson would also need to sign him to a new contract, which adds another layer of complexity. The Predators might want to get a sense of what kind of deal Edvinsson and his camp are looking for before pulling the trigger on a major trade. For now, all we know for certain is that an unsigned Red Wings defenseman who wants out of Detroit was just spotted skating at the practice facility of a team that very much wants him. Sometimes the smoke really does mean fire.