Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota combine for a trade involving two first-round picks today in hockey history

As the Red Wings celebrate their centennial season, it's fitting to look back at key transactions, including a trade that went down 44 years ago today.

The massive deal included two first-round picks and two players.

The Minnesota North Stars flipped Don Murdoch, Greg Smith, and their 1982 first-round pick (which was used to select Murray Craven) to the Red Wings, in exchange for Detroit's 1982 first-rounder, Brian Bellows (selected 2nd overall).

Two of the players drafted with the picks involved in that trade, Brian Bellows and Murray Craven, had long NHL careers, both playing in over 1,000 games.

Bellows had a career spanning 1,188 regular-season games, amassing 485 goals and 537 assists for 1,022 points. In addition to the North Stars and the Wings, the forward also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, and Washington Capitals.

Meanwhile, Craven played 1,071 games, tallying 266 goals, 493 assists, and a solid +125 plus/minus over his 18-season career with the Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks.

As for the others in the deal, Don Murdoch and Greg Smith, they had impressive careers, but didn't have the same impact in the NHL.

Don Murdoch skated in 320 NHL games, scoring 121 goals and adding 117 assists before his career was derailed by off-ice issues.

Greg Smith played 829 NHL games, recording 56 goals and 232 assists for 288 points.

Stay tuned as we continue to revisit more trades and moments that shaped the rich history of the Detroit Red Wings until the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.