A day before the NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings traded a center for a future asset -- just not the one people were expecting.
The Red Wings sent center prospect Amadeus Lombardi, a restricted free agent with no waiver eligibility, to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth-round pick (108th overall) in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The Red Wings were previously without a pick in that round, having sent their pick in the John Gibson trade.
Lombardi, a fourth-round pick himself (113th overall) in 2022, logged three seasons in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Injuries limited his availability, however, as he skated in 44 and 47 games, respectively in the past two years. Still, the Newmarket, Ontario native showed offensive upside, posting a combined 82 points in 91 games during those campaigns.
As a restricted free agent, Lombardi was due for a new contract and given his pro term, would have to clear waivers if he didn’t make the Red Wings’ roster this season. Though center is a spot with need and will likely be an even greater one once the Red Wings wind up trading captain Dylan Larkin at his request, Lombardi was behind a logjam. He's stuck competing against players such as Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson and Andrew Copp, and would be battling it out with J.T. Compher and even potentially Emmitt Finnie down the middle.
Without a lot of wiggle room, it makes sense why both sides would seek a fresh start.
The trade gives Detroit seven picks in this weekend’s draft, pending any other deals the team makes.
Red Wings preparing for bigger moves
It appears as if general manager Steve Yzerman is tidying up unfinished business while he waits for the dust to settle with Dylan Larkin. Earlier today, the Red Wings extended pending RFA William Wallinder, signing the young defenseman to a two-year deal. The only other contract on his to-do list is defenseman Simon Edvinsson's deal, which will be a longer, far more expensive deal.
Now that the Red Wings have a pick in the fourth round, they've got something going in every round but the first. Whether or not they make a move is anyone's guess, but, for now, it appears as if the 47th round pick will be their starting point tomorrow.
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