Expidition Unknown (So far) - The History of Trades from Steve Yzerman as GM

[LeftWinger 5,129]

“We cannot bear for our most mysterious experiences to remain unexplained. I've therefore learned...that every story has worth, since a person takes the time to tell it. The key is to listen.”
― Josh Gates

Today we are going to break down each and every Steve Yzerman trade as the GM of Our Detroit Red Wings. Both the player being acquired, dealt, and the draft pick being acquired, dealt. A lot of the first trades was just him trying to dig out of Ken Hollands hole, and that was a DEEP hole, so the player being acquired may not have been a star, but it was a small to larger upgrade. This could be long, so buckle up!

Tampa ended up trading 93rd OA pick to Philly (Zayde Wisdom) for a 2020 4th (Eamon Powell) and a 2020 5th (Jaydon Dureau) of which all three have ZERO NHL games played. Erne played 4 seasons in Detroit scoring 62 points in 241 games.

Winner - Detroit

again, in an attempt to dig out of the hole, the D was ATROCIOUS, Yzerman dealt away some youth for veteran Alex Biega. Biega played 2 seasons in Detroit playing in 62 games, meanwhile Pope has played ZERO NHL games.

Winner - Detroit

Staying on topic of trying to make the team a little better, bit by bit, Perlini played 39 games in Detroit, while Regula played 22 games (in three seasons) in Chicago. Considering that Regula was a prospect at the time of being traded, he had a brighter future, yet after being dealt from Chicago to Boston (along with Ian Mitchell for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno (Chicago won that trade)) he never played in the NHL again after the Chicago trade. Ia am giving this trade a win for Detroit.

Winner - Detroit

Robby Fabbri (although injured quite often) played 5 years, amongst 234 games in Detroit, netting 127 points. De La Rose only played 47 games, netting 6 points with St. Louis, and hasn't played in the NHL since 2021. Fabbri is still playing as of the end of the 2025 NHL season.

Winner - Detroit

Comrie bounced around a lot that season, played 2 games in Detroit after being acquired, losing both of them before being waived and claimed by The Jets. Saarijarvi neve stepped foot in the NHL and has returned to Europe. This is a wash IMO.

Winner - None

Trade of minor league players, each played 35 games in the AHL after the trade and have moved on to other teams (non-NHL.) Wood is in the KHL(Kunlan Red Star) and Kaski in the SHL(HV71)

Winner - None

Kyle Brodziak never played in Detroit, or the NHL ever again, the 4th round pick was Jan Bednar. Bednar never got a chance in Detroit, played only 4 games in Grand Rapids, but has played 76 games in Toledo, including 37 last season. Mike Green played 2 games for Edmonton and never played again. I would consider this a win for Detroit since Bednar is still in the organization and contributing to Toledo's success.

Winner - Detroit

On the same day, another trade was made with Edmonton, this one had a lot more meat on the bones. AA was nice player in Detroit, but had defensive issues. Yzerman, again, was looking at ways to dig out of a hole by acquiring draft picks to start some sort of rebuild. AA never seen any success like he had in Detroit, he only played 9 games for Edmonton, moved on to LA for a bit and Chicago where he was waived last season after only 8 games played. Kuffner was signed as a UFA by Detroit out of Princeton and actually played 10 games in the NHL with them. He never played for Edmonton, or in the NHL again after the trade. 

Sam Gagner played 3 years and 129 games in Detroit, netting 47 points. The draft picks went as follows: 2020 2nd round pick was traded to LA (Brock Faber) for a 2020 2nd (Theodor Neiderbach) and a 2020 5th (Sam Stange.) The 2021 2nd round pick was traded to NYI (Atu Raty) along with Richard Panik for Nick Leddy (we'll hit those details later on!) Considering Sam Gagner played for Detroit for 3 years, we are giving Detroit the win. (Despite trading away what turned out to be Raty)

Winner - Detroit

Marc Staal played 2 seasons in Detroit, 127 games, 26 points. New York was looking to clear cap space. Considering it was for Future Considerations, Detroit wins this one.

Winner - Detroit

Merrill was a numbers game, and was dealt away. He only played 13 games in Montreal, yet has gone on to be pretty solid in Minnisota for the last 4 seasons. Verbeek split 2 seasons between GR and Toledo, and then left to Europe. The 2021 5th round pick was dealt to Dallas (Jack Bar - Zero NHL games) in the deal that allowed Detroit to draft Cossa.

Winner - Detroit

The first blockbuster of Yzerman's tenure. Mantha was supposed to be a super-star in Detroit, but was very inconsistent. He did play 4 years in Washington, netting 92 points before being dealt to VGK. Panik played all of 12 games in Detroit before being traded to NYI, and Vrana who seemed to be on a fast track to stardom with 32 points in 42 games, pissed in someone's cheerios and got dealt to St. Louis for Dylan McLaughlin and 7th round pick in 2025. McLaughlin never played in the NHL for Detroit. Vrana played 2 season in St. Louis, 41 games, before pissing in the cheerios again. He spent last season in Nashville, playing in 13 games. 

The draft picks are interesting. Detroit ended up trading the 22nd OA pick to Dallas (Wyatt Johnson) a 2021 2nd round pick (Artem Grushnikov) and a 2021 5th (Jack Bar) for the 2021 15th OA pick, thus drafting Sebastian Cossa. For the segment of the trade tree, I give the win to Detroit because of the Cossa draft.

Winner - Detroit

Detroit, still in need of making their D better, pulled this deal for Leddy. Yet, Leddy only played 55 games in Detroit before being traded to St. Louis in the Fabbri deal, and although Panik only played 4 games on the Isle, the fact that Detroit lost out on Aatu Raty gives them the loss on this one. Even though Raty was later moved in a blockbuster to Vancouver giving the Isles Bo Horvat, Wings still would've been better off with Raty. (that is IF they would've drafted him.)

Winner - Islanders

This 2021 3rd round pick was originally owned by VGK and was acquired in the trade of Tomas Tatar back in the Holland era, Carolina drafted Aidan Kreschuk, who just finished his senior year at Boston College last season. Bernier was a pending UFA, and never suited up for the Canes, so by default we are going to give this one to Detroit, even though Ned has moved on, although he did play 74 games for Detroit in 2 seasons here.

Winner - Detroit

Mitchell Stephens was a fine role player for Detroit, he played 27 games while there. He has since moved on to Montreal and last season in Seattle. The 2022 6th round pick was moved by Tampa to LA in a deal getting them 2022 3rd (Lucas Edmonds) and LA drafted Jared Wright. Neither prospect has seen the NHL, Wright won a National Championship at U of D, and Edmonds is currently playing for the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL. Since we're not sure how these prospects will turn out, let's give this a wash.

Winner - None

Now we are getting into draft picks that have yet to make the NHL or even the AHL due to still being in JR or College. Detroit used this pick to select Brennan Ali who is currently a sophomore at Notre Dame. The Wings have until August 15, 2027 to sign him to an ELC or he becomes a UFA. Right now, Detroit is still on top of this deal.

Winner - Detroit

Vladdy was a popular player in Detroit, and loved being there considering he grew up in the Lockeroom watching his uncle Slave Kozlov play. He only played 15 games in Dallas. Detroit drafted goalie Landon Miller with the 4th round pick, he just finished his 4th season in The Soo and is still Detroit property. They have until June 1,2026 to sign him to an ELC. It could be a long road though considering the Wings have Cossa, Augustine and Rudy Guimond ahead of him on the depth chart. But he is only one season removed from his draft year, so we will see what happens. Considering the kid is still in the system, we'll give this one a Detroit win.

Winner - Detroit

This is pretty much looked like a big win for Detroit. Witkowski didn't go on to do much for St. Louis, but Leddy is still there enjoying the last 4 seasons playing. Sunqvist and Walman played big roles in Detroit but have both since been traded. The 2nd round pick was used to draft Andrew Gibson, who has also since been traded. Initially the trade looked lopsided for Detroit considering Sunqvist played 70 games in Detroit amongst 2 seasons and Walman saw 1st pairing minutes alongside Seider. He played 145 games in Detroit before being cast off to San Jose. Both his and Sunqvist's trades are coming up later. I am going to have to give this initial trade to Detroit, even though in the end of the trade tree, Leddy is still going in St. Louis.

Winner - Detroit

Again, another goaltender who had Vezina numbers (Like Ned) and Detroit steals for a bargain. St. Louis used the pick to draft Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who remains in their system playing his 1st full AHL season last year in Springfield. Husso seemed like he was going to be the buffer for Cossa to arrive, he played 3 seasons in Detroit, 84 games, but injuries doomed him, and after Detroit had Lyon and Talbot on the roster, he became expendable. He was dealt last season. Initial winner was Detroit, but right now, if Kaskimaki makes a jump to the NHL, they might be. We'll give it a tie. If the prospect faulters out, then Detroit wins

Winner - Both (for now)

In an exchange of AHL players this was a very minor move.

Winner - None

Ok, 2nd blockbuster IMO, of Yzerman's tenure. Hronek just couldn't find a spot here in Detroit. He has thrived on the 1st pairing with Quinn Hughes (damn you Holland!) and has found a home. The 4th round pick was Ty Mueller who spent all of last year in Abbotsford, but has played 2 games in Vancouver. The 1st round pick wound up not being transferred to 2024,thankfully because, with that pick Detroit drafted Axel Sandin- Pelikka who just happens to be ranked one of the NHL's top prospects. The 2nd round pick was traded to Nashville (Felix Nilsson) for a later 2nd (Brady Cleveland) and a 5th round (Kevin Bicker) both of which are still Wings property. Hands down, despite Hronek doing well in VAN, Detroit wins this trade on prospects alone.

Winner - Detroit

Boom! Yet another blockbuster! The 2024 first found it's way back to Boston (after the Detroit Debrincat trade.) The 4th ended up being a conditional pick in the Jeff Petry deal, the condition was the LESS favorable of Boston or Detroit's 4th. I guess since Detroit finished ahead of Boston, Montreal will get Detroit's 4th. But the same condition was put on the trade that sent Fabbri to Anaheim with a 4th, so I guess that the Boston 4th goes on to Anaheim. BUT they trade that conditional 4th to NYR in the Jacob Trouba deal, so in the end NYR gets Boston's 4th in 2025. Whew! At the time, since nobody knew Debrincat was coming, and Bertuzzi did really well in Boston, we are going to give this a tie, since 1st round picks are hard to come by.

Winner - Both

This was a dump of a pending UFA for draft capital. Detroit drafted D-Man Larry Keenen who just finished up his first season at UMass-Amherst. Sundqvist only played 15 games in Minny before going back to St. Louis as a UFA. Gotta give Detroit the nof here since Keenen is still a prospect.

Winner - Detroit

This one had us scratching our heads. Vrana seemed like he was getting back to playing well in Detroit after his stint in player assistance program. But he could not crack the lineup consistently for whatever reason and wound up being cast off to St. Louis. as stated above McLaughlin never played in Detroit. We'll see what the 7th round pick brings, since the still own it, but don't hold your breath. Vrana did ok for St. Louis, but walked as a UFA in 2024. No winner here really, unless the 7th round pick is a diamond find!

Winner - None

Pretty much just a favor to Kampfer to try to get him some NHL time. Although it didn't really work out in Arizona either. He has since left for the KHL.

Winner - None

In this draft day swap of picks we saw the Predators and Wings trade resulting in Nashville drafting Nilsson and Detroit drafting Cleveland and Bicker.

Winner - TBD

This seemed to be a slam dunk for Detroit. They immediately bought out Yamamoto, then signed Kostin to an extension. Yzerman was very high on Kostin, but he couldn't find an everyday job under Coach LaLonde. He was traded away after only playing 33 games for Detroit. I guess since Kostin played 33 games, Detroit wins this trade.

Winner - Detroit

BOOM! Blockbuster again! Detroit definitely won this trade outright initially. Kubalik didn't do too much in Ottawa, 74 games only 15 points. Sebrango has played 2 games in Ottawa and remains in their system. The 2024 4th they used to pick Javon Moore, who is still playing at Sioux Falls in the USHL. The 2024 1st found it's way back to Boston getting Ottawa Linus Ullmark. Debrincat has thrived in Detroit, playing in Detroit. He has played in 164 games scoring 137 points. He scored 39 goals last season, the first to score that many since Hossa scored 40 in 08-09. Many will say Detroit hands down won this trade, but is Ottawa too upset with having acquired Ullmark via that 1st? They are in the playoffs and Detroit has missed out again. Both Debrincat and Ullmark have signed extensions, so it has worked on for both. BUT in this initial trade, Detroit is definitely the winner.

Winner - Detroit

Lindstrom couldn't find a home in Detroit and was out of waiver eligibility. Yzerman was in need of a RHD and Petry became available. Considering Lindstrom only played 14 games in Montreal and Petry finished out his contract in Detroit, 117 games played, despite him being a shell of his former self, we have to give this win to Detroit.

Winner - Detroit

The first of a few head-scratchers. Yzerman really like Kostin, yet under LaLonde he couldn't find a daily job, this trade was just maybe a favor to him? He is still in San Jose and playing more than he did in Detroit. Simek never seen Detroit and only played 9 games in GR.

Winner - San Jose (won't be the first one!)

Another exchange of AHL players. McIssac was a Holland draft pick in the early 2nd round of 2018. He was touted a 1st round pick by many. But injuries kept him down and he never saw Detroit. Neither player has seen any NHL games even after the deal.

Winner - None

Ugh... you knew this one was coming. We'll never know why Walman fell out of favor in Detroit, but it is what it is. And considering what San Jose flipped him for, only puts salt in the wound... With that 2nd round pick, San Jose chose Leo Sahlin Wallenius, who has yet to come over from Europe. Clear winner here...

Winner - San Jose

This is the 2nd round pick that Detroit sent San Jose in the Walman deal, Detroit sent Gibson to Nashville for Kiiskinen and that 2nd. Kiiskinen has yet to sign a ELC and remains in Europe, Gibson was singed by Detroit prior to the trade but has yet to crack the Nashville or AHL lineup. He spent last season still in the OHL in Oshawa. No winner as of yet. Slight edge to Nashville because Gibson has a contract. Detroit has until June 1, 2027 to sign Kiiskinen to a ELC.

Winner - Slight win to Nashville

Another strange one. Fabbri seemed like a good fit in the core here (despite his injuries) and was pretty solid. He played 44 games in Anaheim last season, probably got injured out there too. The 4th round pick did a lot of bouncing and ended up going back to Boston in the Trouba deal. Gage Alexander played 1 game in Toledo and is an RFA now. Win goes to Anaheim IMO.

Winner - Anaheim

This was a numbers game, Maatta was just the odd man out. We'll see what the 3rd round pick brings. Detroit will pick 75th and 76th in this round. Maatta has signed a 3 year extension with Utah.

Winner - Right now Utah

Having too many goalies in Detroit, something needed to happen. Husso was waived a couple of times, with no takers, Anaheim did Detroit a solid by taking him off their hands. He did play 4 games in Anaheim.

Winner - Detroit by ditching the contract

This one seemed like Yzerman was just trying to help his old buddy Brisebois out. Aucoin was unsigned and remains that way in Tampa. They have until August 15, 2025 to sign him or he'll become a UFA. We'll see which 4th round pick Detroit gets, and go from there to determine a winner. I guess if Tampa does well in the playoffs and Gourde is key, they'd win.

Winner - TBD

Finally this last one! Veleno just wasn't going to make it in Detroit, and it looked like Yzerman wanted to acquire a couple of vets to try to make a playoff push. Veleno did play 18 games in Chicago and had 7 points. In Detroit Mrazek got injured, but he played 5 games, going 2-2 and Smith played in 19 games and had 2 points. I guess in the end, Chicago got a solid young center, that needed a change of scenery. Depending on what happens with Mrazek next year, we'll see who the winner is.

Winner - TBD

 

...so there you have it, all of Yzerman's trades, not too bad, a couple of blockbuster wins and a few headscratchers, but all in all, he has made this team better via the trade market. Maybe next time we'll discuss the draft picks (after 2025 draft) and the UFA's (after July 1.) Maybe we'll have more trades to add to this topic! I hope you enjoyed this!

Edited April 20 by LeftWinger

[mackel 763]

21 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

“We cannot bear for our most mysterious experiences to remain unexplained. I've therefore learned...that every story has worth, since a person takes the time to tell it. The key is to listen.”
― Josh Gates

Today we are going to break down each and every Steve Yzerman trade as the GM of Our Detroit Red Wings. Both the player being acquired, dealt, and the draft pick being acquired, dealt. A lot of the first trades was just him trying to dig out of Ken Hollands hole, and that was a DEEP hole, so the player being acquired may not have been a star, but it was a small to larger upgrade. This could be long, so buckle up!

Tampa ended up trading 93rd OA pick to Philly (Zayde Wisdom) for a 2020 4th (Eamon Powell) and a 2020 5th (Jaydon Dureau) of which all three have ZERO NHL games played. Erne played 4 seasons in Detroit scoring 62 points in 241 games.

Winner - Detroit

again, in an attempt to dig out of the hole, the D was ATROCIOUS, Yzerman dealt away some youth for veteran Alex Biega. Biega played 2 seasons in Detroit playing in 62 games, meanwhile Pope has played ZERO NHL games.

Winner - Detroit

Staying on topic of trying to make the team a little better, bit by bit, Perlini played 39 games in Detroit, while Regula played 22 games (in three seasons) in Chicago. Considering that Regula was a prospect at the time of being traded, he had a brighter future, yet after being dealt from Chicago to Boston (along with Ian Mitchell for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno (Chicago won that trade)) he never played in the NHL again after the Chicago trade. Ia am giving this trade a win for Detroit.

Winner - Detroit

Robby Fabbri (although injured quite often) played 5 years, amongst 234 games in Detroit, netting 127 points. De La Rose only played 47 games, netting 6 points with St. Louis, and hasn't played in the NHL since 2021. Fabbri is still playing as of the end of the 2025 NHL season.

Winner - Detroit

Comrie bounced around a lot that season, played 2 games in Detroit after being acquired, losing both of them before being waived and claimed by The Jets. Saarijarvi neve stepped foot in the NHL and has returned to Europe. This is a wash IMO.

Winner - None

Trade of minor league players, each played 35 games in the AHL after the trade and have moved on to other teams (non-NHL.) Wood is in the KHL(Kunlan Red Star) and Kaski in the SHL(HV71)

Winner - None

Kyle Brodziak never played in Detroit, or the NHL ever again, the 4th round pick was Jan Bednar. Bednar never got a chance in Detroit, played only 4 games in Grand Rapids, but has played 76 games in Toledo, including 37 last season. Mike Green played 2 games for Edmonton and never played again. I would consider this a win for Detroit since Bednar is still in the organization and contributing to Toledo's success.

Winner - Detroit

On the same day, another trade was made with Edmonton, this one had a lot more meat on the bones. AA was nice player in Detroit, but had defensive issues. Yzerman, again, was looking at ways to dig out of a hole by acquiring draft picks to start some sort of rebuild. AA never seen any success like he had in Detroit, he only played 9 games for Edmonton, moved on to LA for a bit and Chicago where he was waived last season after only 8 games played. Kuffner was signed as a UFA by Detroit out of Princeton and actually played 10 games in the NHL with them. He never played for Edmonton, or in the NHL again after the trade. 

Sam Gagner played 3 years and 129 games in Detroit, netting 47 points. The draft picks went as follows: 2020 2nd round pick was traded to LA (Brock Faber) for a 2020 2nd (Theodor Neiderbach) and a 2020 5th (Sam Stange.) The 2021 2nd round pick was traded to NYI (Atu Raty) along with Richard Panik for Nick Leddy (we'll hit those details later on!) Considering Sam Gagner played for Detroit for 3 years, we are giving Detroit the win. (Despite trading away what turned out to be Raty)

Winner - Detroit

Marc Staal played 2 seasons in Detroit, 127 games, 26 points. New York was looking to clear cap space. Considering it was for Future Considerations, Detroit wins this one.

Winner - Detroit

Merrill was a numbers game, and was dealt away. He only played 13 games in Montreal, yet has gone on to be pretty solid in Minnisota for the last 4 seasons. Verbeek split 2 seasons between GR and Toledo, and then left to Europe. The 2021 5th round pick was dealt to Dallas (Jack Bar - Zero NHL games) in the deal that allowed Detroit to draft Cossa.

Winner - Detroit

The first blockbuster of Yzerman's tenure. Mantha was supposed to be a super-star in Detroit, but was very inconsistent. He did play 4 years in Washington, netting 92 points before being dealt to VGK. Panik played all of 12 games in Detroit before being traded to NYI, and Vrana who seemed to be on a fast track to stardom with 32 points in 42 games, pissed in someone's cheerios and got dealt to St. Louis for Dylan McLaughlin and 7th round pick in 2025. McLaughlin never played in the NHL for Detroit. Vrana played 2 season in St. Louis, 41 games, before pissing in the cheerios again. He spent last season in Nashville, playing in 13 games. 

The draft picks are interesting. Detroit ended up trading the 22nd OA pick to Dallas (Wyatt Johnson) a 2021 2nd round pick (Artem Grushnikov) and a 2021 5th (Jack Bar) for the 2021 15th OA pick, thus drafting Sebastian Cossa. For the segment of the trade tree, I give the win to Detroit because of the Cossa draft.

Winner - Detroit

Detroit, still in need of making their D better, pulled this deal for Leddy. Yet, Leddy only played 55 games in Detroit before being traded to St. Louis in the Fabbri deal, and although Panik only played 4 games on the Isle, the fact that Detroit lost out on Aatu Raty gives them the loss on this one. Even though Raty was later moved in a blockbuster to Vancouver giving the Isles Bo Horvat, Wings still would've been better off with Raty. (that is IF they would've drafted him.)

Winner - Islanders

This 2021 3rd round pick was originally owned by VGK and was acquired in the trade of Tomas Tatar back in the Holland era, Carolina drafted Aidan Kreschuk, who just finished his senior year at Boston College last season. Bernier was a pending UFA, and never suited up for the Canes, so by default we are going to give this one to Detroit, even though Ned has moved on, although he did play 74 games for Detroit in 2 seasons here.

Winner - Detroit

Mitchell Stephens was a fine role player for Detroit, he played 27 games while there. He has since moved on to Montreal and last season in Seattle. The 2022 6th round pick was moved by Tampa to LA in a deal getting them 2022 3rd (Lucas Edmonds) and LA drafted Jared Wright. Neither prospect has seen the NHL, Wright won a National Championship at U of D, and Edmonds is currently playing for the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL. Since we're not sure how these prospects will turn out, let's give this a wash.

Winner - None

Now we are getting into draft picks that have yet to make the NHL or even the AHL due to still being in JR or College. Detroit used this pick to select Brennan Ali who is currently a sophomore at Notre Dame. The Wings have until August 15, 2027 to sign him to an ELC or he becomes a UFA. Right now, Detroit is still on top of this deal.

Winner - Detroit

Vladdy was a popular player in Detroit, and loved being there considering he grew up in the Lockeroom watching his uncle Slave Kozlov play. He only played 15 games in Dallas. Detroit drafted goalie Landon Miller with the 4th round pick, he just finished his 4th season in The Soo and is still Detroit property. They have until June 1,2026 to sign him to an ELC. It could be a long road though considering the Wings have Cossa, Augustine and Rudy Guimond ahead of him on the depth chart. But he is only one season removed from his draft year, so we will see what happens. Considering the kid is still in the system, we'll give this one a Detroit win.

Winner - Detroit

This is pretty much looked like a big win for Detroit. Witkowski didn't go on to do much for St. Louis, but Leddy is still there enjoying the last 4 seasons playing. Sunqvist and Walman played big roles in Detroit but have both since been traded. The 2nd round pick was used to draft Andrew Gibson, who has also since been traded. Initially the trade looked lopsided for Detroit considering Sunqvist played 70 games in Detroit amongst 2 seasons and Walman saw 1st pairing minutes alongside Seider. He played 145 games in Detroit before being cast off to San Jose. Both his and Sunqvist's trades are coming up later. I am going to have to give this initial trade to Detroit, even though in the end of the trade tree, Leddy is still going in St. Louis.

Winner - Detroit

Again, another goaltender who had Vezina numbers (Like Ned) and Detroit steals for a bargain. St. Louis used the pick to draft Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who remains in their system playing his 1st full AHL season last year in Springfield. Husso seemed like he was going to be the buffer for Cossa to arrive, he played 3 seasons in Detroit, 84 games, but injuries doomed him, and after Detroit had Lyon and Talbot on the roster, he became expendable. He was dealt last season. Initial winner was Detroit, but right now, if Kaskimaki makes a jump to the NHL, they might be. We'll give it a tie. If the prospect faulters out, then Detroit wins

Winner - Both (for now)

In an exchange of AHL players this was a very minor move.

Winner - None

Ok, 2nd blockbuster IMO, of Yzerman's tenure. Hronek just couldn't find a spot here in Detroit. He has thrived on the 1st pairing with Quinn Hughes (damn you Holland!) and has found a home. The 4th round pick was Ty Mueller who spent all of last year in Abbotsford, but has played 2 games in Vancouver. The 1st round pick wound up not being transferred to 2024,thankfully because, with that pick Detroit drafted Axel Sandin- Pelikka who just happens to be ranked one of the NHL's top prospects. The 2nd round pick was traded to Nashville (Felix Nilsson) for a later 2nd (Brady Cleveland) and a 5th round (Kevin Bicker) both of which are still Wings property. Hands down, despite Hronek doing well in VAN, Detroit wins this trade on prospects alone.

Winner - Detroit

Boom! Yet another blockbuster! The 2024 first found it's way back to Boston (after the Detroit Debrincat trade.) The 4th ended up being a conditional pick in the Jeff Petry deal, the condition was the LESS favorable of Boston or Detroit's 4th. I guess since Detroit finished ahead of Boston, Montreal will get Detroit's 4th. But the same condition was put on the trade that sent Fabbri to Anaheim with a 4th, so I guess that the Boston 4th goes on to Anaheim. BUT they trade that conditional 4th to NYR in the Jacob Trouba deal, so in the end NYR gets Boston's 4th in 2025. Whew! At the time, since nobody knew Debrincat was coming, and Bertuzzi did really well in Boston, we are going to give this a tie, since 1st round picks are hard to come by.

Winner - Both

This was a dump of a pending UFA for draft capital. Detroit drafted D-Man Larry Keenen who just finished up his first season at UMass-Amherst. Sundqvist only played 15 games in Minny before going back to St. Louis as a UFA. Gotta give Detroit the nof here since Keenen is still a prospect.

Winner - Detroit

This one had us scratching our heads. Vrana seemed like he was getting back to playing well in Detroit after his stint in player assistance program. But he could not crack the lineup consistently for whatever reason and wound up being cast off to St. Louis. as stated above McLaughlin never played in Detroit. We'll see what the 7th round pick brings, since the still own it, but don't hold your breath. Vrana did ok for St. Louis, but walked as a UFA in 2024. No winner here really, unless the 7th round pick is a diamond find!

Winner - None

Pretty much just a favor to Kampfer to try to get him some NHL time. Although it didn't really work out in Arizona either. He has since left for the KHL.

Winner - None

In this draft day swap of picks we saw the Predators and Wings trade resulting in Nashville drafting Nilsson and Detroit drafting Cleveland and Bicker.

Winner - TBD

This seemed to be a slam dunk for Detroit. They immediately bought out Yamamoto, then signed Kostin to an extension. Yzerman was very high on Kostin, but he couldn't find an everyday job under Coach LaLonde. He was traded away after only playing 33 games for Detroit. I guess since Kostin played 33 games, Detroit wins this trade.

Winner - Detroit

BOOM! Blockbuster again! Detroit definitely won this trade outright initially. Kubalik didn't do too much in Ottawa, 74 games only 15 points. Sebrango has played 2 games in Ottawa and remains in their system. The 2024 4th they used to pick Javon Moore, who is still playing at Sioux Falls in the USHL. The 2024 1st found it's way back to Boston getting Ottawa Linus Ullmark. Debrincat has thrived in Detroit, playing in Detroit. He has played in 164 games scoring 137 points. He scored 39 goals last season, the first to score that many since Hossa scored 40 in 08-09. Many will say Detroit hands down won this trade, but is Ottawa too upset with having acquired Ullmark via that 1st? They are in the playoffs and Detroit has missed out again. Both Debrincat and Ullmark have signed extensions, so it has worked on for both. BUT in this initial trade, Detroit is definitely the winner.

Winner - Detroit

Lindstrom couldn't find a home in Detroit and was out of waiver eligibility. Yzerman was in need of a RHD and Petry became available. Considering Lindstrom only played 14 games in Montreal and Petry finished out his contract in Detroit, 117 games played, despite him being a shell of his former self, we have to give this win to Detroit.

Winner - Detroit

The first of a few head-scratchers. Yzerman really like Kostin, yet under LaLonde he couldn't find a daily job, this trade was just maybe a favor to him? He is still in San Jose and playing more than he did in Detroit. Simek never seen Detroit and only played 9 games in GR.

Winner - San Jose (won't be the first one!)

Another exchange of AHL players. McIssac was a Holland draft pick in the early 2nd round of 2018. He was touted a 1st round pick by many. But injuries kept him down and he never saw Detroit. Neither player has seen any NHL games even after the deal.

Winner - None

Ugh... you knew this one was coming. We'll never know why Walman fell out of favor in Detroit, but it is what it is. And considering what San Jose flipped him for, only puts salt in the wound... With that 2nd round pick, San Jose chose Leo Sahlin Wallenius, who has yet to come over from Europe. Clear winner here...

Winner - San Jose

This is the 2nd round pick that Detroit sent San Jose in the Walman deal, Detroit sent Gibson to Nashville for Kiiskinen and that 2nd. Kiiskinen has yet to sign a ELC and remains in Europe, Gibson was singed by Detroit prior to the trade but has yet to crack the Nashville or AHL lineup. He spent last season still in the OHL in Oshawa. No winner as of yet. Slight edge to Nashville because Gibson has a contract. Detroit has until June 1, 2027 to sign Kiiskinen to a ELC.

Winner - Slight win to Nashville

Another strange one. Fabbri seemed like a good fit in the core here (despite his injuries) and was pretty solid. He played 44 games in Anaheim last season, probably got injured out there too. The 4th round pick did a lot of bouncing and ended up going back to Boston in the Trouba deal. Gage Alexander played 1 game in Toledo and is an RFA now. Win goes to Anaheim IMO.

Winner - Anaheim

This was a numbers game, Maatta was just the odd man out. We'll see what the 3rd round pick brings. Detroit will pick 75th and 76th in this round. Maatta has signed a 3 year extension with Utah.

Winner - Right now Utah

Having too many goalies in Detroit, something needed to happen. Husso was waived a couple of times, with no takers, Anaheim did Detroit a solid by taking him off their hands. He did play 4 games in Anaheim.

Winner - Detroit by ditching the contract

This one seemed like Yzerman was just trying to help his old buddy Brisebois out. Aucoin was unsigned and remains that way in Tampa. They have until August 15, 2025 to sign him or he'll become a UFA. We'll see which 4th round pick Detroit gets, and go from there to determine a winner. I guess if Tampa does well in the playoffs and Gourde is key, they'd win.

Winner - TBD

Finally this last one! Veleno just wasn't going to make it in Detroit, and it looked like Yzerman wanted to acquire a couple of vets to try to make a playoff push. Veleno did play 18 games in Chicago and had 7 points. In Detroit Mrazek got injured, but he played 5 games, going 2-2 and Smith played in 19 games and had 2 points. I guess in the end, Chicago got a solid young center, that needed a change of scenery. Depending on what happens with Mrazek next year, we'll see who the winner is.

Winner - TBD

 

...so there you have it, all of Yzerman's trades, not too bad, a couple of blockbuster wins and a few headscratchers, but all in all, he has made this team better via the trade market. Maybe next time we'll discuss the draft picks (after 2025 draft) and the UFA's (after July 1.) Maybe we'll have more trades to add to this topic! I hope you enjoyed this!

That's a lot of work... nice job.

[Dabura 12,232]

9 minutes ago, mackel said:

That's a lot of work... nice job.

Seriously! Mad props, @LeftWinger!

Also, I like Expedition Unknown.

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

Hope you had a nice Easter Left. Well done on the rundown, I agree with about 99% of it. 

Caveat, I'd make... Since rejoining Detroit SY has dominated the trades in which he appears to have been able to sit back and work the tradeblock. Not so much when he's NEEDED to get something done and forced it. 

To use Fabbri as an example... I highly doubt SY originally coveted Fabbri or had his eye on him. But when he found out the underutilized player could be had cheap, he took a swing. However, when all of the sudden he felt he needed to move on from Fabbri ASAP, suddenly he's tripping over his own shoes. 

Staying with Fabbri, besides the reactive trade for him being good, and the proactive trading him away being bad, the timeline of events surrounding the former trade alludes to the lack of a grandiose plan. 

Surely SY would have known that guys he wanted to make plays for, like Stamkos, would have more than likely been available in the offseason, and that he needed to clear space to make a bid for them. If he didn't, that would show a level of incompetence, and would prove their isnt a grand stradegy at play...

So if we give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he indeed had the foresight to see that coming, his decision ultimately was to not clear that space at the oppurtune time to do so (The TDL) and instead reluctantly give Fabbri away for nothing a few months later... only to lose out on the asset (Stamkos) he made that move to acquire. 

Sure... he wanted to make the playoffs... but if he wanted to make it that badly, he shouldve added to his roster at the TDL instead of doing nothing. 

And I'll support that by saying...look at what Kane and Larkin just said in this years exit interviews. The team was stumbling, getting hurt, but still fighting, and then the shot-in-the-arm/support at the TDL didnt come... and it continued to falter from there. Said in not so many words by our own leaders. 

Back to Fabbri, one could argue he didnt know he'd have to sell so insanely low on him in the summer, or that maybe there was no market for Fabs at the TDL. But there was a market for plenty of players like him, and its beyond obvious to everyone that there isnt the same market for players in summer as there is at TDLs. 

To add insult to injury, its rumored he could not get the stamkos deal done bc he did not get prior approval from Illitch. Indicating more lack of planning. 

And in the case of Walman, he did not even attempt to waive him - and Grier and other GMs indicated that they wouldve claimed him if done so - indicating another rash unplanned decision. 

And as a sidenote you had the agents in the agent pole this year literally stating there is no "plan" in Detroit. 

MY POINT IS THIS

There is no plan. There is no grand stratedgy to what he's building. Yzerman is any fan with an Xbox playing GM mode. He's reacting often in the moment without much thought to whats to come. Is this terrible horrible bad news? No. But we do need to put the "yzerplan" narrative to rest.

He's been exceptional at trades when he can sit back, take his time, and evaluate the block/market. He's been bad when he buys into his own teams hype, sits back and does nothing, and then feels forced to make panic trades later because of his own inaction. 

Not giving him a pass. I would like to see more and better planning, and a clearer direction. Its precisely his LACK of trades as of late that have been our downfall, not his wins and loses. 

[LeftWinger 5,129]

9 hours ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

Back to Fabbri, one could argue he didnt know he'd have to sell so insanely low on him in the summer, or that maybe there was no market for Fabs at the TDL. But there was a market for plenty of players like him, and its beyond obvious to everyone that there isnt the same market for players in summer as there is at TDLs. 

Also, remember, Stamkos was already gone on the 3rd of July, Yzerman traded Fabbri ($4M) and signed Tarasenko ($4.75M) on the same day.

He could've had Perron and Ghost at $7.2M combined, instead he got Tarasenko and Gustafsson at $6.75M. That was a major mistake IMO. The Wings had $2M leftover in cap space after the season, He could've signed both Perron and Ghost and still been under the cap. I would've preferred Perron over Fabbri in this case, so if he needed to trade him still, it would've been ok. Perron has 103 points in 2 years with Detroit. PLUS he stood up for his teammates, which is more than what most the players on this team do. And Ghost had 56 points, as a defenseman here. He definitely would've equaled or come close to that again. There's no going back, but Yzerman needs to make up for the mistakes. Move forward, you have to cut your losses. I HOPE that he does so. If not, we're in for another crap season in 25-26, minus Kane most likely as well.

This COULD'VE been your opening night roster. He would've had to have dealt away Husso to fit, but he was washed up anyhow, and was not going to be around too long. Just trade him for the Future's to start the season. Instead of signing Motte, Holl, Gustavsson and Tarasenko. Here's what could've been, WITH the contracts they signed elsewhere. Also, roughly $1M left under the cap!

Edited April 21 by LeftWinger

[town123 231]

Great work Lefty!        

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

10 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

Also, remember, Stamkos was already gone on the 3rd of July, Yzerman traded Fabbri ($4M) and signed Tarasenko ($4.75M) on the same day.

He could've had Perron and Ghost at $7.2M combined, instead he got Tarasenko and Gustafsson at $6.75M. That was a major mistake IMO. The Wings had $2M leftover in cap space after the season, He could've signed both Perron and Ghost and still been under the cap. I would've preferred Perron over Fabbri in this case, so if he needed to trade him still, it would've been ok. Perron has 103 points in 2 years with Detroit. PLUS he stood up for his teammates, which is more than what most the players on this team do. And Ghost had 56 points, as a defenseman here. He definitely would've equaled or come close to that again. There's no going back, but Yzerman needs to make up for the mistakes. Move forward, you have to cut your losses. I HOPE that he does so. If not, we're in for another crap season in 25-26, minus Kane most likely as well.

This COULD'VE been your opening night roster. He would've had to have dealt away Husso to fit, but he was washed up anyhow, and was not going to be around too long. Just trade him for the Future's to start the season. Instead of signing Motte, Holl, Gustavsson and Tarasenko. Here's what could've been, WITH the contracts they signed elsewhere. Also, roughly $1M left under the cap!

Last year was a trainwreck of an offseason. 

And I was happy about it at the time!

Gus was sold to us a Ghost replacement, with a tad less offense but more defense (what we wanted), plus he had experience running a PP with Dcat and Kane in Chicago. GUSTAFSSON IS SO FUQQING USELESS ITS WILD. Meanwhile Ghost looks like a PP machine competeing for a cup right now...

Tarasenko same thing. Former top sniper. Coming off a cup win. The leadership we need. JUST BAD. Meanwhile Perron is also competing for a cup right now.

BUT! These are the types of mistakes I can live with... mistakes where I can see what the vision was... but they just didnt work out. 

These TDLs I cannot see the vision, and therefore I do not forgive the mistake. And TDLs have a very direct impact on our offseason. Trading Ghost Walman Fabbri Perron away at the TDL wouldve gained us futures and saved us the crap panic trades. Orrrrrr acquiring a Gus or Tarasenko at the TDL wouldve given us the morale and personel boost we needed for a playoff run WITHOUT a multi year contract for crap players. 

Ill stop ranting now.

[mackel 763]

1 hour ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

Last year was a trainwreck of an offseason. 

And I was happy about it at the time!

Gus was sold to us a Ghost replacement, with a tad less offense but more defense (what we wanted), plus he had experience running a PP with Dcat and Kane in Chicago. GUSTAFSSON IS SO FUQQING USELESS ITS WILD. Meanwhile Ghost looks like a PP machine competeing for a cup right now...

Tarasenko same thing. Former top sniper. Coming off a cup win. The leadership we need. JUST BAD. Meanwhile Perron is also competing for a cup right now.

BUT! These are the types of mistakes I can live with... mistakes where I can see what the vision was... but they just didnt work out. 

These TDLs I cannot see the vision, and therefore I do not forgive the mistake. And TDLs have a very direct impact on our offseason. Trading Ghost Walman Fabbri Perron away at the TDL wouldve gained us futures and saved us the crap panic trades. Orrrrrr acquiring a Gus or Tarasenko at the TDL wouldve given us the morale and personel boost we needed for a playoff run WITHOUT a multi year contract for crap players. 

Ill stop ranting now.

This team desperately needs a physical heart and soul guy that can play... I'm not sure who that would be nowadays...

I'm thinking on a range between McCarty and Shanny

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

29 minutes ago, mackel said:

This team desperately needs a physical heart and soul guy that can play... I'm not sure who that would be nowadays...

I'm thinking on a range between McCarty and Shanny

I whole heartdly agree. Austin Watson was a VERY welcome addition late in the seasin. 

There seems to a lot of debate out there about adding Sam Bennett this offseason. Not a tradional tough powerforward or grinding enforcer like Shanny or DMac... but the guy is VERY physical despite not being big, and will put up 40+ pts.

My issue is he will likely just be another Copp/JTC here. And this team needs to aim MUCH higher at this point. I'm not sure I can stomach spending the cap space on a player like this at this crossroad...

Rags want Kreider off the roster (2 more seasons at $6.5) and have to re-sign RFA Rempe this summer. I would be exploring a trade that brings us both players and picks for taking on Kreider. Send them Ras or Berggren or something, or make it a bigger blockbuster if Mr Larkin truely wants gone...

[mackel 763]

1 hour ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

I whole heartdly agree. Austin Watson was a VERY welcome addition late in the seasin. 

There seems to a lot of debate out there about adding Sam Bennett this offseason. Not a tradional tough powerforward or grinding enforcer like Shanny or DMac... but the guy is VERY physical despite not being big, and will put up 40+ pts.

My issue is he will likely just be another Copp/JTC here. And this team needs to aim MUCH higher at this point. I'm not sure I can stomach spending the cap space on a player like this at this crossroad...

Rags want Kreider off the roster (2 more seasons at $6.5) and have to re-sign RFA Rempe this summer. I would be exploring a trade that brings us both players and picks for taking on Kreider. Send them Ras or Berggren or something, or make it a bigger blockbuster if Mr Larkin truely wants gone...

Rempe can't really play to the level I'd like... I'd swap Burgers and a 3rd for Kreider 25% retained a 2nd.

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

25 minutes ago, mackel said:

Rempe can't really play to the level I'd like... I'd swap Burgers and a 3rd for Kreider 25% retained a 2nd.

Yeah - there just isnt much out there to grab in that dept