The Detroit Red Wings took a risk during the trade deadline. They made three moves: trading Elmer Soderblom to the Pittsburgh Penguins, acquiring David Perron from the Ottawa Senators and making a big splash for Justin Faulk. In that time, the two players acquired have combined for just four points.
Yes, you read that correctly: four points.
At 34 years of age, Faulk shouldn't be relied on to be an offensive catalyst. Nor should Perron, who turns 38 next month. Having said that, for the price they paid, the Red Wings expected much, much more from each of these players.
Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20, but, as of right now, all three of these deadline deals look like duds.
Trade 1: Elmer Soderblom for a 2026 3rd round pick
This one comes with a bit of a caveat: Soderblom never consistently found a spot on the Red Wings. Without that, he couldn't carve out enough playing time to be a difference-maker. On the Penguins, however, Soderblom seems to have found another gear to his game. He has five points in his last five games and eight in 16 since the trade.
Soderblom left the Red Wings with just three points in 39 games. Now, with the Penguins, he's making a case for a regular spot on the roster. Still, it's hard to blame Yzerman for making this trade. Soderblom couldn't cut it in Detroit and recouping a third round pick for him is great asset management. It's a shame that he couldn't carve out a spot in Hockeytown, but this trade isn't as egregious as the sticker shock may suggest.
Trade 2: David Perron for a 2026 4th round pick
Expecting David Perron to return to the 45-55-point pace he held when he was last with the Red Wings is a tall ask. After all, he's 37 years old. The expectations now are very different from what they were before. That said, however, he has just a single goal - a late garbage time goal against the New York Rangers - to his name.
While a fourth round pick may not be the end of the world, it's a shame that the Red Wings couldn't get someone more notable. Warren Foegele, who joined the Ottawa Senators, has seven points in 16 games. Foegele brings an extra layer of physicality to the Senators, who have since been on a tear through the playoff race.
This was a low-risk trade, but some fans can't help but wonder what Yzerman could've done if he packaged this pick for something better.
Trade 3: Justin Faulk for a 2026 1st round pick, 2026 3rd round pick, Dmitri Buchelnikov
There are times where Justin Faulk looks like the most poised player on the back end. There are also times where Faulk is so out of position you wonder if he realizes he's a defenseman. The initial high from Faulk has quickly worn off. He and Ben Chiarot had among the worst possession metrics in the NHL when paired together. They quickly nosedived from a solid pairing to an underwhelming-at-best combination.
Worst of all, the 2026 first round pick the Red Wings offered is unprotected. Should the team miss the playoffs, there's a chance that pick could become a draft lottery selection. Losing Dmitri Buchelnikov along with the picks stung at first, but it doesn't look like he'll be moving to North American ice anytime soon.
Faulk has one year left on his contract. A full season of effective play could certainly turn this trade around. In fact, it has all the potential in the world to still come out as a win. But, if he doesn't turn it around - and if that pick becomes a high draft pick - this could be one of the ugliest trades in the Yzerman era of the Red Wings.