Defencemen seem to be the order of the day at the NHL Trade Deadline, and the now another has moved. The Detroit Red Wings have acquired Marek Zidlicky from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional third round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. If the Red Wings make it to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, then the pick will improve to a 2016 second round selection.
@renlavoietva: Marek Zidlicky going to Detroit for a 3rd round pick. #transactions2015
The 38-year-old Zidlicky is in the final year of a contract that carries a $4 million cap hit. In 63 games this season he has 4 goals and 19 assists for 23 points. In 762 career NHL games, Zidlicky has 82 goals and 308 assists for 390 points. The fact that he has plenty of experience, is a right hand shot, and can play on the Detroit Red Wings powerplay makes him a strong addition to Detroit.
The Wings are currently in a battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division. Zidlicky adds his puck moving ability to a team that seems all but assured of reaching the playoffs for a 25th consecutive season this spring.
Zidlicky was originally acquired by the Devils in a 2012 NHL Trade Deadline move from the Minnesota Wild, and helped New Jersey to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in six games.
It is the second major deal for the Red Wings in the last 24 hours. They picked up Erik Cole from the Dallas Stars yesterday.
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NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 13: Marek Zidlicky #2 of the New Jersey Devils signals his second goal of the game against the Boston Bruins on the powerplay at 6:13 of the third period at the Prudential Center on April 13, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
