The Detroit Red Wings have already completed 25 percent of their abbreviated preseason schedule, opening up the exhibition slate with a 1-0 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday evening.
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While the lineup consisted primarily of young players looking to secure a full-time roster spot, two notable absences stood out – both belonging to players essentially racing against the clock with the regular season rapidly approaching.
Former captain Dylan Larkin has yet to hit the ice after suffering an upper-body injury during a gym training session shortly before the start of Training Camp. Meanwhile, restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains without a contract.
Edvinsson participated in on-ice drills during Training Camp, but didn’t skate in the club’s scrimmages as he awaits a new deal.
Head coach Todd McLellan explained that essentially, Larkin is at the mercy of how quickly his body heals before he can return to the ice.
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“With Larks, Mother Nature has to take care of that; he’s hurt,” McLellan said. “It’s no different than if he had an injury in December or another time; he has to heal. We can’t rush that, so Mother Nature is in charge of that.
We’re hoping that he’ll be ready to go, but if he isn’t, then we move on.”
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He then pointed out that the business side of Edvinsson’s situation, with the 23-year-old having emerged as Detroit’s second-best defenseman behind Moritz Seider, isn’t in his or the team’s available players’ hands.
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“Simon, on the other hand, is the business side of it for two parties; they have to get involved and get things done,” McLellan said.” And they’re working diligently at that. Really, both of them are out of control as coaches and out of the existing players’ control.
We have to worry about what we worry about, and that’s who we have right now.”
Red Wings Drop 1-0 Shootout Final To Blue Jackets In Preseason Opener
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During his introductory press conference last week, Red Wings interim GM Shawn Horcoff indicated that a new deal for Edvinsson is a “priority”.
Neither player will be suiting up in Detroit’s second preseason contest on Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Meanwhile, each passing day brings the Red Wings closer to their opening regular season contest on Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena.
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