Detroit Red Wings Trade Thomas Vanek to Panthers for Player, Pick

The Detroit Red Wings continue to deal prior to today’s trade deadline, this time sending Thomas Vanek to the Florida Panthers for a pick and a player.

Thomas Vanek was expected to be the biggest name traded by the Detroit Red Wings on deadline day and that has now happened.

Elliotte Friedman broke the news on twitter shortly before noon.

Just getting a third round pick in returned seemed like a paltry return for one of the best rental players on the market, but it turns out defenseman Dylan McIlrath is headed to Detroit in the deal as well. McIlrath was drafted by the New York Rangers with the tenth overall pick of the 2010 Draft and made his NHL debut in 2013.

Despite the lofty draft status, McIlrath’s career has been a disappointment so far. He’s still just 24-years old, but hasn’t established himself in the NHL yet. He appeared in 34 games during the 2015-16 season but has just 43 career games played.

McIlrath was traded from the Rangers to Panthers earlier this season. He was playing in the AHL at the time for the trade and made just five appearances for the Panthers. McIlrath will report to Grand Rapids.

Even with the pick-player combo, it comes as a disappointing return after there was speculation that Vanek could fetch as much as a first round pick.

Just hours now remain until the trade deadline and the Vanek deal was the biggest Red Wings trade expected to happen. That doesn’t mean they are done, as it is possible another player, perhaps Riley Sheahan, is dealt before the deadline at 3 p.m. ET.

Next: Steve Ott traded to Montreal

[Update: According to Sportsnet reports, the Red Wings are done.]