Craig Smith #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks
Red Wings Acquire Petr Mrazek, Craig Smith in Trade with Blackhawks
With the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline looming, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made a move to bolster his roster, striking a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Red Wings acquired veteran goaltender Petr Mrazek and experienced forward Craig Smith in exchange for former first-round pick Joe Veleno. The trade, first reported by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, has since been confirmed by the team.
A Familiar Face Returns
Mrazek, 32, is no stranger to Detroit, having played for the Red Wings from 2012 to 2018. While his best years may be behind him, he adds depth to a goaltending group that has been inconsistent this season. With a year remaining on his contract at a $4.25 million cap hit, Mrazek becomes the highest-paid goalie on Detroit’s roster. Whether he takes on a backup role or sees NHL action remains to be seen, but his presence provides a security blanket in net.
Craig Smith Adds Versatility
Smith, 35, brings a veteran presence and positional flexibility to the Red Wings’ forward group. Once a reliable scorer for the Nashville Predators, he has transitioned into more of a depth role in recent years. So far this season, he has posted 16 points in 40 games. With Detroit looking to add experienced, two-way players, Smith’s ability to play both center and wing makes him a useful asset. His $1 million contract expires at the end of the season, making this a low-risk addition.
Veleno Heads to Chicago
Veleno, 24, has been a polarizing player among Red Wings fans. Some saw him as a developing piece of Detroit’s future, while others viewed him as expendable. This season, he has managed 10 points in 56 games, often slotting into various roles in the lineup. The Blackhawks, a rebuilding team, will likely give him more opportunities to carve out a consistent role.
What This Means for the Red Wings
At first glance, this trade doesn’t drastically move the needle for Detroit, but it does provide necessary depth. Smith adds reliability up front, and Mrazek could stabilize a shaky goaltending situation. One intriguing wrinkle is whether Detroit might consider assigning Mrazek to their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, allowing top prospect Sebastian Cossa more NHL action.
From a financial standpoint, Detroit still has over $10 million in cap space, per PuckPedia, leaving Yzerman room to make additional moves before the deadline. Whether this trade signals more to come remains to be seen, but at the very least, it injects some fresh faces into a roster that needed a shake-up.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Detroit to see if Yzerman has any more tricks up his sleeve.
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