Trade Deadline from Detroit's Point of View

Trade Deadline from Detroit's Point of View

Kyle Quincey returns to Detroit

This year's Trade Deadline was another quiet one with only 16 trades being completed today, and no real "blockbuster" deals. Detroit however did manage to make one deal today and another a few days ago. Last week Detroit was involved in a 3-way trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning. Firstly, Colorado sent Defensemen Kyle Quincey to Tampa Bay for Steve Downie, and then Tampa Bay flipped Quincey to the Red Wings for a 1st Round Pick and prospect Sebastien Piche. Kyle Quincey was originally drafted by the Red Wings in 2003 but failed to crack through the line-up and was picked up of waivers by the LA Kings in 2008. Quincey showed his defensive prowess filling in for an injured Jack Johnson that year. He was then traded to Colorado where he continued solid defensive play. Quincey has had a history of injuries, but when he's healthy he is capable of logging a lot of minutes and putting up 30 points a year. He could become a key part of the Red Wing's if he remains healthy.

The other move the Detroit Red Wings managed to make was trading Mike Commodore to Tampa Bay for a conditional 7th round pick. Detroit has a history of good scouting and perhaps could make use of this late round draft pick, but the real reason for the move was Commodore was buried in Detroit's depth charts and was blocking rosters spots for prospects like Brendan Smith. Now that Commodore is gone the Wings have called up Smith who was Detroit's 1st round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Smith is billed as a physical defensemen and has played 2 seasons in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. In 110 games he has amassed 64 points and 198 PIM.

Kyle Quincey and Brendan Smith both have a great opportunity to make a real impact on Detroit's blueline as the Wings have recently lost Brian Rafalski to retirement and are rumoured to lose Nicklas Lidstrom (also to retirement) and Brad Stuart (to the UFA market) this summer.

In speculation leading up to the Trade Deadline, Detroit's name was linked with Buffalo's gritty Centre Paul Gaustad. However, Gaustad was dealt to the Nashville Predators for a first round pick. Gaustad would have added some much needed grit, and supplied the Wings with another reliable face-off winner. Perhaps the Red Wings over paid for Quincey by sending their 1st round pick to Tampa Bay. If they were able to get Quincey for a bit cheaper, perhaps a 2nd round pick and maybe a slightly better prospect, they could have saved their 1st round pick to acquire Gaustad.

All things considered this Trade Deadline proved to be fruitful for the Red Wings as they managed to add some depth and good potential to their blueline. Kyle Quincey has already contributed a few points to the Red Wings and it seems like the right time to call up a highly touted prospect like Brendan Smith.