DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have traded forward Thomas Vanek to the Florida Panthers for a 3rd-round pick and a defenseman, according to reports.
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The Panthers also will send 24-year-old right-handed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to Detroit as part of the trade.
The 3rd round pick FLA gives up for Vanek is a 2017 selection.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017
FLA gives up Dylan McIlrath and a third round pick to DET for Thomas Vanek. DET retains 50 per cent of salary.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017
Friedman later confirmed McIlrath is going to Detroit:
The Red Wings picked up Vanek in the offseason on a 1-year deal. Vanek, now 33, has had a strong season for the Red Wings despite battling some injuries. He has 15 goals and 23 assists in 48 games played.
He put himself in a position to be traded to a Stanley Cup contender as the Red Wings fight to stay out of the basement. The Panthers aren't exactly "contenders," but they have a better shot than the Red Wings do.
Vanek is no stranger to mid-season trades. The Buffalo Sabres dished him to the New York Islanders in 2014 before he eventually landed with the Montreal Canadiens that season. He spent two seasons in Minnesota, too.
The trade deadline is 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Detroit has made two other moves before the deadline:
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