Trade completed between the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild proves that Yzerman's not messing around
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings have persisted through the offseason in an effort to revitalize the lineup, and sometimes that includes shipping players out like Vladimir Tarasenko, who wasn't a fit in Hockeytown.
The Detroit Red Wings are working to optimize the lineup for 2025-26. Steve Yzerman is serious about getting the team where it needs to be, and sometimes painful moves need to be made.
One of those was getting rid of a mistake he made by acquiring two-time Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko.
Tarasenko won a Cup in both St. Louis and Florida and was a 50+ point player in 2023-24. But last season in Detroit, he'd produce at a dismal clip of 33 points (11-22).
Future Considerations For Vladimir Tarasenko
The mandate to make it to the playoffs is ongoing, and for Yzerman, one he hasn't been able to meet in six seasons here so far.
So he traded Tarasenko for an asset, which could turn into something meaningful down the road.
What were the assets involved? Yzerman was in a rush, it seems, and he was willing to accept future consideration for the $4.75 million forward.
Now he'll be able to get a fresh start under John Hynes and the Minnesota Wild organization. A team that is a fringe playoff contender but has never been a threat, even after the arrival of Kirill Kaprizov.
Will he slot in on the team's top six? He could at least factor into the middle-nine forward group and add secondary scoring.
While Yzerman has saved the team $4.75 million towards the cap.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
