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Detroit Red Wings Trade Brendan Smith to New York Rangers

By Zac Snyder

Feb 12, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith (2) during a game between the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Red Wings 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith (2) during a game between the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Red Wings 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Red Wings sell-off continued on Tuesday with the trade of defenseman Brendan Smith to the New York Rangers for two draft picks.

The Detroit Red Wings had engaged Brendan Smith’s representation in contract extension talks in recent days, but they have instead traded him to the New York Rangers.

Ken Holland had the following to say about that dynamic, via the Detroit Free Press:

"“We had talked over the last week or so about re-signing, and were making good progress,” Holland said. “At the same time, I did tell his agent that if I got some assets that I could not pass up, I was prepared to make a trade. They understood that.“Smith was going to be unrestricted. We will see what happens this summer. In the meantime, we are doing what we can to try to get back in the mix next year by acquiring some picks.”"

While the highest of the picks coming in return isn’t until the 2018 draft, the Red Wings have built up a stock of 2017 third round picks.

However, it’s hard to see any of those picks helping the Red Wings to a better season right away.

Next: Red Wings Game Info at Canucks Tonight

There will likely be more deals to come before the trade deadline now that the Red Wings are very clearly in sell mode. Tomas Vanek is currently ranked number two on TSN’s trade bait list. Riley Sheahan ranks 14th and Steve Ott is 37th.

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