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Red Wings: Detroit Early Winners in Trade with Oilers

By John Manzo

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mike Green #27, William Lagesson #84, Andreas Athanasiou #28, Tyler Ennis #63 and Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers set up for a faceoff against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Oilers 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mike Green #27, William Lagesson #84, Andreas Athanasiou #28, Tyler Ennis #63 and Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers set up for a faceoff against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Oilers 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings made two trades with the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL trade deadline.  The move looks promising early on.

Hey, at least the Detroit Red Wings are winning something, right?

It’s still way too early to tell if the team will end up winning its two NHL trade deadline deals with old friend and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers Ken Hollard, but early returns are positive.

Or, better yet, lack thereof for the Oilers.

Forward Andreas Athanasiou was the prized asset in the deals and dropped a pit in Red Wings fans’ stomachs in his Oilers debut with the tying goal against the Anaheim Ducks, along with an assist in the eventual overtime loss.

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But he went scoreless the following night against the Las Vegas Golden Knights and his former Red Wings teammate Mike Green has been a non-factor. The 34-year-old defenseman is a minus-2 in two games  with his new team and now is out 3-4 weeks with a sprained MCL.

Add on that the team is 1-1-1 since the deal and Holland must be sitting in his press box thinking, “did Stevie doop me again?” (Again referring to basically kicking him out of a job).

On the flip side, the Red Wings are continuing to get pummeled night in and night out, but general manager Steve Yzerman must like the returns from the deal.

New forward Sam Gagner is speaking positively about the opportunity to reinvent himself, scored Saturday in the shootout loss to Ottawa and is playing motivated for that and a new deal, as he’s expected to hit unrestricted free agency (UFA) at the end of the season.

If Yzerman doesn’t like what he sees from the veteran in the remaining games, he can cut bait and move on. Add on that he acquired three draft picks (two 2nd rounders, likely 4th rounder) and early returns say that Yzerman made the right move…for now.

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