Executive Vice President & General Manager Steve Yzerman announced in an afternoon press conference that the Red Wings
acquired left wing Jakub Vrana, right wing Richard Panik, a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft
from the Washington Capitals in exchange for right wing Anthony Mantha.
While moving Mantha was clearly the most visible move the Red Wings made during the trade deadline period, it also completed four transactions the club made since last Friday. Detroit added five more draft picks over the next two seasons for a total of 22 selections between the 2021 and 2022 NHL Entry Drafts.
"We're trying to improve our team; we're trying to become more competitive, but also add assets to assist in the rebuild," Yzerman said.
"Our core of our team is still relatively young, with Dylan Larkin, with Filip Hronek, and now you see the Zadina's and Rasmussen's and other players coming along. We want to surround them with players that help them grow and develop as well. We thought it was a good fit. We got a player that goes into our lineup that can play a similar role and still accomplish what we're trying to do. And that's add to the pipeline, so to speak."
For this summer's 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Detroit has its own pick in the first six rounds, in addition to two additional second-round choices (Edmonton and NY Rangers) and one extra pick in the first (Washington), third (Vegas), fourth (Tampa Bay) and fifth (Ottawa) rounds.
As for the players the Red Wings received in the trade, Vrana has 25 points on 11 goals and 14 assists this season. The 25-year-old has spent his entire NHL career in Washington, helping the Capitals win the 2018 Stanley Cup championship. Vrana was the Caps' 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He is in the final year of a two-year deal, and will be a restricted free agent following the 2020-21 season.
