Detroit Red Wings acquire elite level defenseman in completed trade with the Vancouver Canucks
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The Detroit Red Wings traded away Filip Hronek, and in return, by way of the deal, received an elite defenseman thanks to the Vancouver Canucks in Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
The Detroit Red Wings set themselves up for long-term success when they flipped Filip Hronek to the Vancouver Canucks. With Hronek, they took advantage of a career year and would, in return, receive three draft picks.
On Mar 1st, 2023, they received a conditional 2023 1st-round pick (Axel Sandin-Pelllikka) and a 2023 2nd-round pick, and a fourth-round pick.
That 2023 season, Hronek scored a total of 39 points (9-30) in 64 games with the Wings and Canucks.
Hronek's Return Is A Win for Steve Yzerman
With the 1st-round pick received in the trade (17th OA), they would select Swedish defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka from the SHL's Skelleftea AIK.
Pellikka has proven that the draft pick wasn't wasted, as a playoff performer in the SHL, with his teammate and fellow prospect, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. He'd score 8 points (1-7) in 11 games.
As for flipping Hronek? That was peak Steve Yzerman, taking advantage of his full value and two seasons of consistent play. He'd hit a career high of 43 points in 2023-24 with the Canucks.
Which may seem like the Red Wings may have lost the trade, but for the team, they'll see it pay off once Pellikka makes the jump to the NHL and takes a spot from a veteran placeholder in the NHL.
The second-round and fourth-round picks utilized by the team would become more or less draft capital, or assets to work with, which was a bonus of the deal.
Day by day, we'll soon see whether or not it's paid off truly, when Sandin-Pellikka finds his new home in a Red Wings jersey, on the blue line, hopefully quarterbacking a power play.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
