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Jordan Wohl

Wings Weekly: Bertuzzi Traded, Larkin Extended (Feb 26-Mar 4)

Updated: Apr 29, 2023

Jordan Wohl, Staff Writer

Photo//Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY SPORTS


Welcome to Wings Weekly: a regular column giving you a quick recap of the week that was and the week that will be for the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.


Weekly Results (0-4-1):


Feb 27 @ Senators (Ranked 19/32 in NHL): 6-2 Loss

Feb 28 @ Senators (19): 6-1 Loss

Mar 2 vs Kraken (11): 5-4 OT Loss

Mar 4 @ NY Islanders (15): 4-1 Loss

Mar 5 @ Philadelphia (25): 3-1 Loss


Trade Deadline


Assets Going Out: Tyler Bertuzzi (2023 UFA), Filip Hronek (2024 RFA), Oskar Sundqvist, Jakub Vrana, 2023 4th Round Pick


Assets Coming In: 2023 1st Round Pick (NYI), 2024 1st Round Pick (BOS), 2023 2nd Round Pick, 2023 4th Round Pick, 2025 4th Round Pick, 2025 7th Round Pick, and prospect Dylan Mclaughlin


Bertuzzi to Boston

Forward Tyler Bertuzzi (50% salary retained) traded to the Boston Bruins for a Protected 2024 1st Round Pick* and a 2025 4th Round Pick.


*Protected First is top-10 protected, meaning that the Wings would receive Boston’s 2025 1st if the 2024 pick is a top-10 pick.


The Bertuzzi trade is getting a lot of criticism from fans across Hockeytown, but context is important. Bert has gone to contract arbitration with Yzerman twice due to fundamental disagreements on his monetary value, and he was set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. With the arbitrations in mind, it is safe to assume that this trade is Steve Yzerman acknowledging that the Wings were unlikely to sign him anyways.


But as a fan, ask yourself this philosophical question: would you rather keep Bertuzzi for this playoff run that where the most likely scenario is a first round exit and losing Bert in the offseason for nothing, or are you okay with watching two months of bad hockey with a first round pick and a fourth rounder in your pocket for the future? With prospects like Edvinsson, Soderblom, and Kasper on the way, adding another first-round talent to this roster makes all the sense in the world.


Hronek to Vancouver

Filip Hronek and a 2023 4th Round Pick traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a Conditional 2023 1st Round Pick* and a 2023 2nd Round Pick


*Conditional First is from NY Islanders, meaning that if the Islanders pick ends up as a top-12 pick then Detroit receives New York’s 2024 1st Round Pick.


The Hronek trade is monumental. Another Steve Yzerman masterpiece. To get two premium draft picks out of an inconsistent 2nd line defenseman with one year left on his deal is almost too good to be true.


Sundqvist to Minnesota

Forward Oskar Sundqvist traded to the Minnesota Wild for a 2023 4th Round Pick


Vrana to St. Louis

Forward Jakub Vrana traded to the St. Louis Blues for prospect Dylan Mclaughlin and a 2025 7th Round Pick


In Other News…


Larkin Contract Extension:


The Wings Captain and Michigan-native signed an 8-year deal, $69.6 million deal at an $8.7 AAV. To put that AAV (Average Annual Value) in context, here are comparable centers who have recently signed similar deals:



Husso Injury


Bellcow starting goaltender Ville Husso dealt with an undisclosed minor injury but returned to start Sunday’s game versus Philadelphia. There should not be any more to this story, but news will be updated if necessary.


Rasmussen Injury


Forward Michael Rasmussen has been a vital piece of Detroit’s middle-six forward group this year and will likely be sidelined for a while after blocking a shot just below his knee cap last week.


Projected Lines


Kubalik - Larkin - Raymond

Fabbri - Copp - Perron

Zadina - Veleno - Berggren

Erne - Suter - Chiasson


Walman - Seider

Maatta - Chiarot

Hagg - Oesterle


Hellberg

Nedeljkovic


Players In: Chiasson (Signing), Nedeljkovic (Emergency Call-Up), Raymond (Returned from IR), Erne (Had been a healthy scratch)


Players Out: Rasmussen (Injury) Husso (Injury), Bertuzzi (Trade), Vrana (Trade), Sundqvist (Trade), Hronek (Trade)


Upcoming Games


Wednesday, March 8 vs Chicago (2nd Worst team in NHL) (Home)

Saturday, March 11 @ Boston (Best team in NHL) (Away)

Sunday, March 12 vs Boston (Best team in NHL) (Home)

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