The deal: The New Jersey Devils sent Marek Zidlicky to the Detroit Red Wings for a third-round pick in 2016. Reports also indicated the pick becomes a second-rounder if the Wings reach the final–so Lou Lamoriello has a new favourite team for the next little while.
The money:
Zidlicky: Signed through 2014-15, with a cap hit of $4M
What the Red Wings are thinking: A right-handed shot on defence! Oh, glorious day! No really, that’s probably what they’re thinking–Ken Holland has said repeatedly that it was the team’s biggest need. After kicking tires on Dion Phaneuf and reportedly finding the Leafs’ price too high, the Wings give up a future pick for a pure rental who gives them exactly what they’re looking for heading to the playoffs.
What the Devils are thinking: This is about as straight as it gets for New Jersey–the window for a deal was shrinking and while Zidlicky is a quality veteran, he’s also 38 and not exactly about to become any more valuable than he already is. They took what they could get and they moved on–and nobody can blame them.
Who wins this deal right now: The Red Wings, obviously–Detroit gets exactly what they had said they wanted to get, and the Devils won’t even make the pick until 2016.
Who wins this deal later: Equally obviously, the Devils–Zidlicky might well retire after this season, but even if he doesn’t he’s not coming back to Detroit, who have multiple young players to resign in the summer. This is a rest-of-season deal only.
Overall: A perfect match. The Wings don’t mind dealing later picks as their farm system is well-stocked. The Devils get something for, basically, nothing.