Red Wings Deemed Biggest Losers in Surprise Trade Deadline Deal With Original Six Rivals
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On March 7th, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, two Original Six teams, completed an unexpected trade deadline move. Just a few weeks later, it's evident which team came out on top.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson chose to send two experienced players to Detroit in a surprising transaction that saw goaltender Petr Mrazek return to familiar territory.
Alongside Mrazek, 14-year NHL veteran Craig Smith was also dealt to the Red Wings, bolstering their offense amid a wave of injuries.
In exchange, Chicago acquired Joe Veleno, a forward selected in the first round by Detroit in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Though the 25-year-old has yet to fully realize his potential, he's shown modest progress with the Blackhawks, posting one goal and one assist in seven games since the trade.
For Detroit, Craig Smith has managed just one point, while Petr Mrazek, the other major piece in the deal, has thrown a wrench into their goaltending strategy.
Blackhawks Emerge as Victors in Mrazek Trade with Red Wings
Mrazek suffered an injury in only his fifth game with Detroit, forcing the Red Wings to scramble with an emergency roster adjustment, recalling goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the AHL.
I don't understand the trade for Mrazek. We already have TWO mid goalies, why not give Cossa the reps at this point.
Beyond frustrated with the Yzerplan - continually bad enough to miss the playoffs and good enough to remain irrelevant for high drafting.
Beyond frustrated with the Yzerplan - continually bad enough to miss the playoffs and good enough to remain irrelevant for high drafting.
At a $4.25 million annual salary, Mrazek's setback is a bitter blow for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, who had banked on the goaltender to bolster their postseason hopes.
With Mrazek sidelined and Smith underperforming, Kyle Davidson appears to have outmaneuvered Detroit, offloading a poor contract in Mrazek while granting Smith a chance to chase playoff glory.
Red Wings Trade For Mrazek Doesn't Add Up Now
Here's my argument for why Mrazek wasn't the goalie that the Red Wings needed to add at the deadline.
Here's my argument for why Mrazek wasn't the goalie that the Red Wings needed to add at the deadline.
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