2022 Trade Deadline Tracker 3.0 & the Impact on the Detroit Red Wings

Updated 3/21/22 at 12:55 pm EST: Over the next few days, trades will be happening at a rapid pace and the Detroit Red Wings will most likely be in the heat of it. The trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. ET. With Tyler Bertuzzi purportedly open to a trade, things could get very interesting. Whether that happens remains to be seen–but it certainly seems that Yzerman truly has the Red Wings open for business.

This spot will be a catch all for all the NHL trade deadline deals with a bit about how it affects the Detroit Red Wings as the trade deadline gets closer. It will be updated as trades go down.

Monday March 21

The deal: The Edmonton Oilers trade a 2023 2nd round pick and William Lagesson to Montreal for Brett Kulak

Impact on Detroit: Moderate

Analysis: This has to up the ante for a potential Leddy deal.

The deal: The Toronto Maple Leafs trade Alex Biega to Nashville for future considerations

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: A depth move for Nashville and a contract spot cleared for Toronto.

The deal: The Philadelphia Flyers trade Justin Braun to the New York Rangers for a 2023 3rd round pick

Impact on Detroit: Moderate

Analysis: DHN’s Kevin Allen had Braun right ahead of Leddy in his defenseman rankings. Only Jakub Chychrun remains ahead and the return for Braun appears to be a third round pick. Perhaps Leddy can fetch similar or perhaps slightly better as the clock ticks down.

The deal: The Seattle Kraken trade Marcus Johansson to Washington for Daniel Sprong, a 2022 4th round pick and a 2023 6th round pick

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: It’s a low impact deal in that it doesn’t really affect Detroit on the ice. But it could have an effect on the forwards Detroit could get returns for. Johansson has 23 points (6-17) in 51 games this season. Sprong has 14 points (8-6) in 14 games. From Detroit’s perspective Vladislav Namestnikov has 25 points (13-12) in 60 games. Filip Zadina has 20 points (8-12) in 60 games, but he doesn’t seem as likely to move as Namestnikov. However, his name has popped up in trade rumors for the Detroit Red Wings this season. Both have comparable numbers to Johansson.

The deal: The Minnesota Wild trade Kaapo Kahkonen to the San Jose Sharks for Jacob Middleton and a 2022 5th round pick

Impact on Detroit: Moderately Low

Analysis: An expected deal after the Wild acquired Fleury. A pick is also involved going back to Minnesota and this is another reason to think a Greiss trade is becoming less likely. Additionally, DHN’s Kevin Allen had Middleton two spots ahead of Leddy on his best defenseman available list.

The deal: The Chicago Blackhawks trade Marc-Andre Fleury to Pittsburgh for a conditional 2022 2nd round pick

Impact on Detroit:  Low

Analysis: The Blackhawks are going into a full rebuild now, so really the only impact is another team looking to sell off assets with some considerable assets to do so. The conditional draft pick is believed to turn into a first. This also blocks another option should Detroit want to move Greiss, which is looking less likely. Scott Powers reports that the Blackhawks have also retained 50% of Fleury’s cap hit. 

The deal: The Winnipeg Jets trade Nathan Beaulieu to Pittsburgh for a conditional 2022 7th round pick

Impact on Detroit: Very Low

Analysis: This is similar to the Stecher deal–except for the pick being conditional on Pittsburgh winning three rounds in the playoffs and Beaulieu playing in at least half of those cumulative games. Winnipeg just moving pieces and trying to get something.

Sunday March 20

The deal: The Winnipeg Jets trade a 2023 4th round pick to Seattle for Mason Appleton

Impact on Detroit: Very Low

The deal: The Detroit Red Wings trade Troy Stecher to Los Angeles for a 2022 7th round pick

Analysis: DHN’s Kevin Allen writes that after the Stecher deal, Leddy should be next. It also includes the players beyond Stecher who could be on the move.

The deal: The Arizona Coyotes trade Scott Wedgewood to Dallas for a 2023 conditional 4th round pick

Impact on Detroit: Moderately low

Analysis: The only reason it’s even in the moderate rating is because it could be a block to another opportunity for Detroit to deal Thomas Greiss. That is becoming less likely as the hours pass by. The Coyotes continue to stockpile picks. As for the pick, it becomes a third rounder if Dallas qualifies for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The deal: The Seattle Kraken trade Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2022 and 2023 2nd round pick and a 2024 3rd round pick

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: Giordano will certainly help the Maple Leafs blue line but is in the twilight of his career. Should be help the Leafs win a Stanley Cup, he’s keep an “open mind” according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. With a year-to-year approach, this is one of the few divisional trades that won’t impact Detroit as heavily in the future.

The deal: The Ottawa Senators trade Nick Paul to Tampa Bay for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 4th round pick

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: Paul will provide depth for the Lightning, another hedge in case of injury on the bottom six. Joseph is a solid pickup for the Sens, but the overall impact against Detroit beyond this season is questionable based on Paul re-signing and Ottawa figuring out their next move in their rebuild.

The deal: The Arizona Coyotes trade a 2022 2nd round pick to Minnesota for Jack McBain

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: McBain wasn’t planning on signing with the Wild so Arizona took a flier on him. Not a bad return for the former third round pick. Regardless, Arizona is surely building with young talent and a litany of picks for the draft.

The deal: The Vancouver Canucks trade a 2022 3rd round pick to Toronto for Travis Dermott

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: Dermott ran out of time with the  Leafs and this trade allows Vancouver to try and get him back on track. The Leafs move more salary and get a third round pick for its troubles. Not bad.

The deal: The Ottawa Senators trade a 2022 3rd round pick to Vancouver for Travis Hamonic

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: Again, until Ottawa starts to plunge forward more in its rebuild, all moves are similar to other teams doing similar deals–wait and see. It does, however, add another capable defenseman who could potentially help Ottawa pivot out of its rebuild.

The Harmonic deal relieves Vancouver of a $3M cap hit and also nets their own third round pick back.

The deal: The Florida Panthers trade a 2022 6th round pick to Buffalo for Robert Hagg

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: With Aaron Ekblad out until at least the first round of the playoffs, this is another insurance policy and a good one at that. Consistent for Buffalo, Hagg will be surrounded by more talent in Florida, who is had pushed the chips into the middle to make sure they’re advancing beyond the first round this season.  

Saturday March 19

The deal: The Philadelphia Flyers trade Claude Giroux (50% salary retained), German Rubtsov, Connor Bunnaman and a 2024 5th round pick to the Florida Panthers for Owen Tippett, a 2023 3rd round pick, and a 2024 1st round pick

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: It’s surprising the Flyers didn’t get more for their captain. The 1st round pick is contingent on not being in a top 10 slot in 2024. Giroux could re-sign with the Panthers this offseason at a lower hit, keeping another very good player in Detroit’s division. The no-movement clause certainly didn’t help matters, either.

The deal: The Anaheim Ducks trade Hampus Lindholm (50% salary retained) and Kodie Curran to the Boston Bruins for John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, a 2022 1st round pick, and a 2023 and 2024 2nd round pick.

Impact on Detroit: Moderate (with potential for High)

Analysis: The impact is contingent upon Lindholm and whether he re-signs with the Bruins. If he does, it will bolster Boston’s blue line for years to come, making the Atlantic more formidable. Such a return should also give hope that the Detroit Red Wings could snag at least a second round pick for Nick Leddy, who Kevin Allen ranked as the sixth best defenseman on the market.

The deal: The Anaheim Ducks trade Nicolas Deslauriers to the Minnesota Wild for a 2023 3rd round pick.

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: It’s not going to get news of say a bigger name, but snagging a third round pick for Deslauriers shows that the market is favoring sellers. Though Bertuzzi said he prefers to stay in Detroit, imagine the return should Yzerman in fact deal him.

Friday March 18

The deal: The Chicago Blackhawks trade Brandon Hagel, their 2022 1st round pick and their 2024 4th round pick to Tampa Bay for  Boris Katchouk,  Taylor Raddysh, and their 2023 and 2024 1st round pick.

Impact on Detroit: Moderately High

Analysis: Hagel is under contract for another two seasons at a very affordable $1.5M AAV. This won’t do Detroit any favors because Tampa Bay just becomes even better with a young forward like Hagel, who had 21 goals and 16 assists with a rebuilding Chicago team.

The Atlantic is already challenging enough but this makes the Bolts even more formidable. However, the Lightning are in cap hell and will continue to lose players as a result. But Hagel could be another thorn in Detroit’s side when they face their division rival.

In another way, it also affects the marketplace in that the Red Wings are purportedly shopping Bertuzzi. Though older by four years, Bertuzzi has been an offensive force for Detroit. The ask now should at the very least be a first round pick and a top flight prospect.

Wednesday March 16

The deal: The Calgary Flames trade a 2022 2nd round pick, a 2023 3rd round pick, and 2024 7th round pick to Seattle for Calle Jarnkrok. Seattle also retains 50% of the contract ($1M)

Impact on Detroit: Low

Analysis: Former Detroit Red Wings prospect Calle Jarnkrok will add to Calgary’s depth, but the Flames paid in the way of their second and third rounder. Jarnkrok’s 26 points (12-14) will help, but they’re paying for his playoff experience as well. Should the Red Wings deal Vladislav Namestnikov, this could stand as relatable return, especially if they retain salary.

The deal: The Florida Panthers trade Tyler Smilanic, a 2023 1st round pick, and a 2022 4th round pick to Montreal for Ben Chiarot

Impact on Detroit: Low to Moderate

Analysis: Yes, Florida gets better with Chiarot but he’s due for free agency and struggled mightily in Montreal this season. He may find solace with a better team (which seems likely) but it’s Florida advancing that really matters here for the Panthers.

The Canadiens are embracing a rebuild and get another 1st round pick next season. It’s reasonable to think Detroit will be unaffected by this until much later in the decade.