Red Wings Acquire 2021 4th Round Pick in Three Team Deal

Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings have made their second trade in less than 24 hours. This one comes courtesy of a three team deal that involved the Columbus Blue Jackets and Yzerman’s former team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in what was a merry-go-round of a trade:

What did the Red Wings Get?

More draft capital. It was jarring at first to see that David Savard was a Red Wing, only to continue reading and realize that it was just 25% of his remaining contract from Columbus that would stay on the books. Long time Griffin Brian Lashoff went to Columbus and then to Tampa Bay. The Red Wings, for their troubles, receive Tampa’s 2021 Fourth Round pick.  When you think about it, though, Yzerman just got a fourth round pick for Lashoff.

The Red Wings Keep Adding Picks

Yzerman wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to stockpile picks to get as many shots at the draft. This gives Detroit 10 draft picks, with three in the second, two in the third and fourth rounds and one in the first, fifth, and sixth rounds. This comes on the heels of yesterday’s deal with Colorado for Patrik Nemeth.

How Does this Affect Future trades?

This is the second contract Yzerman has retained which leaves him room for one more should he make another deal, which seems likely. Jonathan Bernier and Marc Staal have the higher hits when it comes to contracts, and would candidates to retain money should he deal them. He might also swap players on expiring deals to make a deal work. Luke Glendening, or Adam Erne (though I’m not sure Yzerman will deal him) would be affordable enough for an opposing team to absorb.

Final Thoughts

Another stroke of genius by Yzerman. In each of the trade pieces we’ve written, it was stated often that some deals would require creativity on his part to get the pieces he wants. This is exactly what it means. Yzerman was creative enough to get a draft pick without disrupting the current roster.

There’s certainly more to come. But now it’s just a matter of what else Yzerman will bring in before Monday even hits.