NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Detroit Red Wings

Posted on by

Detroit’s Jake Walman (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

The Detroit Red Wings took a measured approach at the trade deadline, making a single move while their Atlantic Division rivals went all-in. General Manager Steve Yzerman traded forward Joe Veleno to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for veteran forward Craig Smith and goaltender Petr Mrázek. While not a flashy move, it does provide Detroit with additional experience and depth as they look to secure a playoff spot.

What the Red Wings Gave Up:

  • Joe Veleno – A young, speedy forward who struggled to carve out a consistent role in Detroit.

What the Red Wings Acquired:

  • Craig Smith – A veteran forward with nearly 1,000 NHL games under his belt. Smith is expected to bolster the bottom-six with his hard-nosed play and offensive depth.
  • Petr Mrázek – A familiar face in Detroit, Mrázek returns to the Red Wings after stints with Carolina, Toronto, and Chicago. The veteran netminder provides goaltending depth and experience, though his recent struggles raise questions about his effectiveness.

The Verdict:

Detroit finds itself in a tough spot in the playoff race, battling with the likes of Montreal, Buffalo, and Ottawa for a wild card berth. While this trade adds veteran leadership and some short-term benefits, it pales in comparison to the aggressive moves made by their division rivals.

Craig Smith is a reliable bottom-six addition, bringing playoff experience and a hard-working mentality. He should provide a boost to Detroit’s depth scoring, something the team has lacked this season.

The more puzzling part of the deal is Mrázek. While he had a strong season in Chicago last year, his numbers this season have dipped significantly. With an .890 save percentage and a goals-against average among the worst in the league, it’s unclear if he can provide the stability Detroit needs in net. That said, returning to a more structured team might help him regain form, and he does provide a veteran presence behind Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon.

While this move gives the Red Wings some needed experience, it doesn’t significantly alter their playoff chances. If Mrázek can rebound and Smith contributes solid depth minutes, this trade could be a quiet win. However, with other teams in the division making major upgrades, Detroit may regret not being more aggressive.

Final Grade: C – A decent move for depth, but unlikely to move the needle in a competitive playoff race.