DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have traded draft selections for decades, giving up future assets to make a push to get into the playoffs and chase a Stanley Cup. Picking up players for picks helped the franchise win four Cups and play in 25 straight postseasons.
Heading into the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday, the last-place team in the Atlantic Division is in a different position: The Red Wings are selling for a change.
Detroit traded defenseman Brendan Smith to the New York Rangers on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round pick in 2018 and a third-round pick this year.
The Smith trade gives the Red Wings 10 picks in the draft this year, including three selections in the third round and two in the sixth.
Detroit drafted Smith in the first round in 2007 and the feisty player has 67 career points in 291 games. He had career highs in goals (five) and assists (14) during the 2013-14 season, his first full year in the NHL. Smith had two goals and three assists in 33 games this season with the Red Wings.
The Rangers bolstered their blue line with the trade, hoping to stay competitive in the Metropolitan with division-leading Washington, Pittsburgh and Columbus. Dan Girardi will be out for a couple weeks, coach Alain Vigneault said, because of an open wound on his ankle from blocking a shot. Kevin Klein has been scratched in recent games with back spasms.
Philadelphia Flyers
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BLACKHAWKS: Rosival, Tootoo sign new deals
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to one-year contract extensions through next season with defenseman Michal Rozsival and forward Jordin Tootoo.
In five seasons in Chicago, the 38-year-old Rozsival has played on two championship teams. He has one goal and one assist this year.
The 34-year-old Tootoo has played in 36 games after signing with Chicago last summer.
The Blackhawks announced the moves on Tuesday.
Chicago, second in the Western Conference, goes for its fifth straight win and 10th in 11 games when it hosts Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
BLUE JACKETS: Marc-Andre Bergeron signs two-way deal
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets signed 36-year-old defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to a contract for the rest of the season.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Monday that Bergeron was signed to a two-way AHL-NHL contract, which means he'll make more money if he is called up from AHL affiliate in Cleveland, where he's been playing this season.
Bergeron has 82 goals and 153 assists in 490 career NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers from 2002-13.
He posted career highs in goals, points, penalty minutes and games played with the Oilers in 2005-06. He most recently recorded a goal and eight saves in 25 games split between the Lightning and Hurricanes in 2012-13.
