Zidlicky Off to Detroit

There had been numerous trades already on Trade Deadline Day, but it took until almost Noon MT for one to involve a pool player, as the Detroit Red Wings made another splash, acquiring another veteran player in defenseman Marek Zidlicky from the New Jersey Devils.

		2015 Season				Cap Hit
To Detroit	POS	GP	G	A	P	2015	2016
Marek Zidlicky	D	63	4	19	23	$3 mil	UFA
---
To New Jersey	POS	GP	G	A	P	2015	2016
2016 Conditional 3rd Round Draft Pick

The Red Wings are no stranger to older players, as Zidlicky fits the bill perfectly, at 38 years old.  The pending unrestricted free agent joins a Detroit team that was in the hunt for a defenseman and was even kicking the tires on Toronto's Dion Phaneuf, but that obviously fell through and Zidlicky was the number two choice.

The Devils, on the other hand, have gotten much younger, in a matter of two trades, this one and sending Jaromir Jagr to Florida last week.  The Devils are nine points out of the Eastern Conference wild card spots and are now moving on to another year.  Getting a pick, which could turn into a 2nd round pick, if the Wings make the Cup Finals, looks good on them, no matter how high or low the pick ends up.

In the pool this year, Zidlicky belongs to Wyllie, who may get a little bit of help to get out of the pool's basement with this trade.  The Slovak blueliner has been okay for Wyllie this year, but not great, the move to Detroit may open up his offensive gifts a little bit more.

Going into Week Twenty-Two, Wyllie stands 5 points out of 22nd and 14 points out of 21st.  I can't see Zidlicky doing most of the work there, but he'll certainly help.