The Detroit Red Wings hit the 2025 NHL Draft floor with the 13th pick firmly in tow. That’s not a bad pick, but certainly not the one fans might have wanted to get.
While the Red Wings can pick a great player at this slot (the Wings got Dylan Larkin 15th in 2014), the temptation may be there to make a move with this pick. Specifically, I’m talking about trading the pick to acquire assets perceived to help the team.
Let’s first make a case for trading the 13th-overall pick.
The Red Wings could recoup some solid assets for the 13th pick
I’m thinking specifically about teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, or Dallas Stars that don’t have a first-rounder.
These contenders may be eyeing a deal, partially as a cap dump and also as a means of getting some value back for their moves.
For instance, the Dallas Stars are reportedly willing to move Jason Robertson to clear space. The Colorado Avalanche face a similar dilemma, with Martin Necas purportedly unhappy about being with the team.
Those situations could prompt teams like the Avalanche and Stars to move their star players, getting a first-round pick out of it.
On the surface, a deal like this might seem like a no-brainer. Trading a lottery ticket for a surefire player. But keep in mind that there’s always risk associated with a deal of this nature.
Trading the 13th pick could spell disaster for the Detroit Red Wings
While getting a star player in return could be too good to pass up for the Detroit Red Wings, the worst thing the team can do is trade the pick for an impending free agent. In Robertson and Necas’ case, we’re talking about two great players that will need new contracts next season.
Sure, the Red Wings have $21 million in cap space. But that can quickly evaporate if a player suddenly demands a hefty payday.
There’s also no guarantee that the player will even want to re-sign with the Red Wings anyway. Think of Necas. He sounds like a good idea, but he’s rumored to want to test the market. As such, the Red Wings would risk missing out on a solid first-round selection for a year of uncertainty.
In my estimation, trading the 13th pick would make sense if the Red Wings can get some certainty. Getting a player back with at least a couple of years remaining on his contract would be better than rolling the dice on a free-agent-to-be.
I would caution the club to avoid making a splash for the sake of making one. Fans may be demanding an answer to the team’s apparent shortcomings. But the last thing any GM should do in Steve Yzerman’s position is to move a valuable piece like a first-round draft pick for the sake of shaking things up.