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Red Wings gain 4th-round pick in 3-way trade with Blue Jackets, Lightning

Detroit helps broker deal that nets draft pick

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard plays during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Detroit Red Wings acted as a middle man Saturday in a three-way trade scenario that gained them a 4th-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Here’s what happened between Detroit, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning that landed defenseman David Savard in Tampa at a reduced salary:

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  • The Red Wings traded defenseman Brian Lashoff to Columbus in exchange for Savard.
  • The Blue Jackets then sent Lashoff to Tampa for a first-round pick in 2021 and a third-round pick in 2022.
  • The Red Wings then completed the deal by sending Savard to Tampa for a 4th-round pick in 2021.

Detroit GM Steve Yzerman retained 25% of Savard’s salary while Columbus retained 50% of it. That allowed Tampa to make this deadline signing to bolster their blue line.

That’s a smart move by Yzerman to gain yet another mid-round draft pick for this year.

Red Wings trade deadline watch: Jon Merrill reportedly targeted by Bruins

Here’s the updated list of Red Wings 2021 draft positions:

That looks pretty solid -- it’s what Yzerman has made clear he can’t get enough of: Assets. He’s willing to get creative to do it.

In this case, the Red Wings had the cap space available to help alleviate some of Savard’s $4 million salary for a cash-strapped Tampa team that wants to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. The Lightning clearly have no appetite for draft picks as they’re giving them away at a high rate lately.

The Blue Jackets, now 7 points out of a playoff spot, wanted to get something for Savard as they prepare for a rebuild. He becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 30-year-old was valued high enough to earn Columbus a 1st round pick this year and 3rd next year.

Meanwhile, Lashoff is the body that helped Yzerman act as the broker. Lashoff, also 30, is a full-time AHLer at this point in his career, playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. Apparently that’s where he will stay for now despite the trade, in Grand Rapids where he captains the team.

The trade deadline is 3 p.m. Monday, April 12.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Lashoff plays against the Ottawa Senators in the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

More: Red Wings trade defenseman Nemeth to Avalanche for draft pick

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