Detroit Red Wings trade grinder forward in trade with Sharks

The Detroit Red Wings have made their first deal of the trade deadline. It's on-brand for Steve Yzerman to make a deal in the waning hours of the deadline. But things are boiling down to the last few minutes, and Yzerman made his first move of the deadline.

There's been talk of being buyers and sellers, but in the first move and what could be the only move this year, they sold off an asset. The Detroit Red Wings have traded forward Klim Kostin to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Radek Simek and a seventh-round draft pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

That pick comes to Detroit from New Jersey, as the Sharks acquired it in a previous trade. This trade has little stock, but the Red Wings seemingly think beyond 2024. Kostin is owed $2 million in 2024-25 with his two-year contract, so this move clears off some contract space for next season.

Let's talk through what this trade means for the Red Wings, even if it might be viewed as pretty menial. Steve Yzerman seemingly always has something up his sleeve, so it'll be interesting to see the remaining time before the deadline.

Detroit Red Wings trade Klim Kostin in a minor trade deadline deal.

Kostin was the Red Wings' muscle, or at least one of the players who was willing to throw around the body and even drop the gloves as needed. He's played in 33 games where he scored three goals and added an assist for just four total points. In his 33 games with the Red Wings, he has averaged just 8:42 in ice time.

The Red Wings had just acquired Kostin before the 2023-24 season began. The winger served as a depth addition and added muscle when he was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers, in the Kailer Yammamoto trade.

The Red Wings are getting Radek Simek back from San Jose in this deal. He's spent the season in the AHL and was already loaned to the AHL by the Red Wings. He'll join the Grand Rapids Griffins after 40 games with the San Jose Barracuda, where he has just 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 total points.

This move may not be a big one, but it allows the Red Wings to recoup a draft pick while also freeing up a contract and cap space for the 2024-25 season. Who knows, maybe Yzerman has something up his sleeve and needs to ensure there is some extra cap space available.