It's been a long time since the Detroit Red Wings elected to buy at the trade deadline. This year, they added two pieces: a middle-six veteran and a top-four defenseman. Additionally, the team shipped off a former Steve Yzerman draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. These moves indicate that the Red Wings (and Yzerman) believe the team is ready to take their next step towards contention.
But how did these moves stack up in the grand scheme of things? Have these moves truly cemented the Red Wings as a playoff team, or did they simply appease a fanbase hungry for contention? Let's take a closer look at each move and deliver a letter grade for their performance:
Trade 1: Red Wings trade a conditional fourth round pick for David Perron
The day before the trade deadline, the Red Wings made their first move, acquiring former Hockeytown vet David Perron for a conditional pick. This move, while not the big splash at forward the fanbase hoped for, gives the Red Wings an additional scoring threat and veteran voice in the locker room.
Another key benefit comes from the conditions of the trade. If Perron doesn't play a game for the Red Wings, the pick is nullified, giving the Red Wings a free leadership voice at no cost. This move, additionally, gives a mentor figure to a young player Detroit called up this morning. Trading for Perron, in essence, is a low risk, moderate reward that could pan out at a very affordable rate. It's not a substantial move by any means, but it helps the Red Wings around the margins.
Grade: B-
Trade 2: Red Wings trade Elmer Soderblom for a 2026 third round pick
Elmer Soderblom is one of Yzerman's prized picks, a sixth-round talent that manifested into an actual NHL threat. Unfortunately, Soderblom struggled to earn a consistent spot on the roster this season. In 39 games with the Red Wings, Soderblom scored just three points. To secure a third round pick - specifically, the San Jose Sharks' third round pick - is superb asset management.
With this move, Yzerman freed up a roster spot and added some extra draft capital for a forward that could barely slot in on Detroit's lineup. Pittsburgh, in return, receives a young, cost-controlled forward with a bit of potential that can help their retool take shape.
Like the Perron trade, this one isn't much of a needle-mover. Like Jonatan Berggren, Soderblom just couldn't crack the lineup on a regular basis. He's likely still got some potential in him, but he wasn't going to find that with the Red Wings. The biggest reason this trade gets high marks, however, comes from what the Red Wings used that pick to acquire.
Grade: A
Red Wings trade 1st, 3rd, Dmitri Buchelnikov, Justin Holl for Justin Faulk
By the end of the trade deadline, many fans were wondering what Yzerman had planned. Plenty were frustrated about the supposed inaction within the front office. Then, it happened: Justin Faulk found his way to the Red Wings. This move filled in a massive need for the Red Wings at defense. It added minute-munching depth, solid defensive play and surprisingly high goal totals.
Where this trade gets wrinkles, however, comes at its cost. The first round pick the Red Wings traded is unprotected. Should the team fall apart in March, that pick could land somewhere higher in the draft. The third round pick, acquired from the Soderblom trade, served as a great sweetener for the Blues. Sending Justin Holl in exchange freed up even more salary for the Red Wings.
The part that stings the most comes from the loss of Dmitri Buchelnikov. Buchelnikov looked poised to make his NHL debut next season, putting up high marks in the KHL through his last few years. But, as all things go with rebuilds, sooner or later, uncomfortable trades need to happen.
In the near future, the Red Wings will part with promising prospects for deadline deals. Names fans hoped to see in the Winged Wheel will make their way elsewhere. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough roster spots for everyone drafted by Detroit. Still, one can't help but wonder why the cost for a 33-year-old defenseman was so high -- and why it required the Red Wings to lose out on someone as promising as Buchelnikov.
Grade: B-