Another Red Wings star is refusing to report to the teams locker room and practices

Simon Edvinsson is now away from practice as Todd McLellan's Red Wings face another major problem before opening night. Reddit

Detroit's summer has already been defined by uncertainty. Dylan Larkin requested a trade, a decision he later said he didn't regret, and the organization stripped him of the captaincy.

Then came the front-office shakeup. Steve Yzerman transitioned from general manager to senior adviser, with Shawn Horcoff eventually elevated to interim GM and handed control of hockey operations.

Now the focus has shifted to Edvinsson, arguably the biggest young piece on Detroit's blue line. The 23-year-old restricted free agent remains unsigned with the regular season about to begin.

"Simon Edvinsson didn't practice today and doesn't have a locker in the Red Wings dressing room.

Statement from GM Shawn Horcoff via Red Wings: “As of today, Simon is not practicing with the team. The organization will continue conversations with Simon and his representatives.”

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Horcoff made Detroit's position clear Monday, saying Edvinsson wasn't practicing with the team and that negotiations with the defenseman and his representatives would continue.

"Shawn Horcoff on unsigned Red Wings D Simon Edvinsson: “As of today, Simon is not practicing with the team. The organization will continue conversations with Simon and his representatives.”

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That's a sharp change from earlier in camp. Edvinsson had reported without a contract and participated in practices, though he stayed out of full-contact scrimmage work while negotiations continued.

Detroit's blue line suddenly has another problem

The timing puts more pressure on Horcoff. Edvinsson produced 25 points in 72 games last season and averaged 22:21 of ice time, second among Red Wings defensemen behind Moritz Seider.

This isn't a depth player sitting outside the locker room. Edvinsson has already established himself as a major part of Detroit's defensive structure and is positioned to remain there for years.

And the contract dispute arrives while the organization is already dealing with the unresolved Larkin situation. Detroit's former captain remains under contract, but his trade request has created another major question around the club.

Edvinsson's situation carries a different kind of weight. He's a restricted free agent, and Detroit controls his rights, but every missed practice cuts into preparation time with McLellan's group.

Horcoff called signing Edvinsson a priority when he took over. Days later, the defenseman is no longer practicing and there still isn't an agreement.

For a Red Wings organization already navigating Larkin's future and Yzerman's move out of the GM chair, another core piece entering the season in limbo is the last development it needed.

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