Detroit Red Wings trading for Jeff Petry means more beyond the surface

The Detroit Red Wings continue to make a few moves ahead of the season as it approaches. The Red Wings opted to go out and grab Jeff Petry in an off-season trade with the Montreal Canadiens, sending Gustav Lindstrom and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

The Detroit Red Wings opted to sure up things defensively, flipping Lindstrom for a veteran defender who they can slot into the lineup to provide some more support. But there’s more to this move than meets the eye.

It’s a trade that has a more significant meaning to it. Petry is coming home. The 14-year veteran has not played a game for the Red Wings organization in his career, but he’s no stranger to Detroit. Many Detroit Tigers fans will know why, as Petry is the son of World Series champion Tigers’ pitcher Dan Petry.

Dan played 13 years in the big leagues, spanning 11 seasons in Detroit with the Tigers over there on the ball field. Jeff was born in 1987 in Ann Arbor. He would go on to play for St. Mary’s Prep during his high school days before heading to the USHL out in Iowa, but he’s no stranger to Michigan and the Detroit area.

Detroit Red Wings defender Jeff Petry is excited to come home.

For Petry, he may have played his prep days in Michigan, but he also found his way back to Detroit during his collegiate days. Petry attended Michigan State University, spending three years there, even serving as their captain in 2009-10.

While his pro career has spanned between Edmonton, Montreal, and Pittsburgh, he has found his way back to Detroit once again in his hockey career, but for the first time as an NHL player. It will be an excellent opportunity for Petry, allowing him to wear the red and white jersey and represent his hometown team.

As a 14-year veteran of the NHL, it has to be an honor for Petry. When he addressed the media in Detroit after the trade, he spoke about how this was a really special opportunity for him. For Detroit, they have to be excited about bringing in Petry.

Even with Petry being 35 years old, he will bring a good veteran presence to the backend, and he still provides some upside. He’s coming off of the 2022-23 season, where Petry played in 61 games, scoring five goals and adding 26 assists for 31 total points.

Petry, indeed, is excited about this move, coming home to play for Detroit. However, the Red Wings should be excited, too. They added a proven veteran to help lock things down on the defense core.