Unsigned Red Wings RFA Simon Edvinsson skates in Nashville, raising eyebrows

Simon Edvinsson, a highly coveted and unsigned defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings, has apparently been skating in Nashville.

According to an Instagram post by former Nashville Predators’ practice goaltender Dustin Smith posted on Nov. 5, Edvinsson was recently skating in full gear at Centennial Ice Rink. The video shows Edvinsson skating through drills and shooting pucks while wearing Red Wings gear.

The 23-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent, but does not have a contract with the Red Wings. In 175 games with Detroit, Edvinsson has 19 goals and 41 assists while averaging 21:10 per game.

According to Predators’ EBUG Dustin Smith’s Instagram, Simon Edvinsson is in Nashville working out.

The 23-year-old RFA defenseman is currently unsigned with Detroit Red Wings. pic.twitter.com/9ZkFTUxq9z

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) November 5, 2026

The Red Wings sent a qualifying offer to Edvinsson on June 30, which allowed them to retain his rights and continue negotiating. But after he remained unsigned over the summer, rumors emerged that the two sides were at odds. Then, on Oct. 4, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Edvinsson “preferred to be traded” out of Detroit.

Nashville has been among the teams rumored to be interested in Edvinsson. The Predators have not made official comment on the player.

When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the Predators explained Edvinsson’s presence as part of a “private ice rental.” The Predators also added that they “would not comment on any other team’s players.”

Edvinsson is represented by CAA, which has its offices in Nashville.

Edvinsson is a 6-foot-6, 225 pound left-hander that is seen as one of the best young defenseman in the league. The interest from Nashville would make sense: General manager Chris MacFarland has mentioned multiple times his desire to upgrade the Predators’ blue line.

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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Unsigned Red Wings RFA Simon Edvinsson skates in Nashville, raising eyebrows