Red Wings get draft pick in complex trade arrangement
Ted KulfanDetroit — The Red Wings continue to make moves leading up to the trade deadline.
But in this one, the Wings basically acted as middle man and earned a fourth-round pick this summer for their work. And their salary-cap case.
Saturday, the Wings acquired defenseman David Savard from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Brian Lashoff, who was playing in Grand Rapids. Columbus retained 50% of Savard’s salary in in that portion of the trade.
The Wings then traded Savard to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick. The Wings also retained 25% of Savard’s salary.
Columbus subsequently traded Lashoff to Tampa for the Lightning’s 2021 first-round pick and 2022 third-round pick.
The end results:
The Wings, as sort of go-between in the trade, retain a portion of Savard’s contract for the rest of the season, trade away Lashoff, and get a fourth-round pick from Tampa in 2021.
Columbus retains 50% of Savard’s contract and acquires Tampa’s 2021 first-round pick and 2022 third-round pick.
And Tampa gets the key in the deal, veteran defenseman Savard — and Lashoff, who will remain with the Griffins.
The Wings traded defenseman Patrik Nemeth Friday to Colorado for a 2022-fourth round pick, while retaining some of Nemeth’s salary.
The NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m. EST Monday.
Veleno returns
Prospect Joe Veleno is returning to North America.
The forward was playing for Malmo in the Swedish Elite League – the Wings loaned Veleno to Malmo - and the team was eliminated from the playoffs this week.
Veleno was reassigned by the Wings Saturday to Grand Rapids.
Veleno had 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in 46 games for Malmo, ranking third in goals and fourth in points.
Veleno, 21, was a 2018 first-round draft pick of the Wings. Veleno had 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points, in 54 games, in Grand Rapids last season.
The NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m. EST Monday.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan