Detroit Red Wings: 5 Best Transactions since 2016

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 11: Robby Fabbri #14 of the Detroit Red Wings takes a second period shot in front of Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena on March 11, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 11: Robby Fabbri #14 of the Detroit Red Wings takes a second period shot in front of Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena on March 11, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Nick Leddy Traded to Detroit

If Detroit can sign Nick Leddy to a contract extension, this trade is a steal for the Red Wings.  Leddy was the top scoring defenseman for the New York Islanders last year.  He scored 31 points in 56 regular season games.  He also scored six points in 19 playoff games.  Now 30, Leddy becomes an UFA after one more season.

Richard Panik and the #52 pick (Aatu Raty) were traded to New York.  Panik is entering his 10th NHL season and has scored 194 points in 517 games playing for six teams.  The journeyman has also collected five points in 20 playoff games.  He has two years remaining before he becomes an UFA.

Raty was the #3 ranked European in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.  A poor showing at the World Junior Tournament dropped Raty to the second round of the draft.  He scored three points representing Finland at the World Junior Tournament.  Raty also played for Karpat (Liiga) scoring six points in 35 games.  He will continue to play for Karpat next year.