Detroit Red Wings
· 2026-06-27
The Detroit Red Wings made a trade at the NHL Draft, acquiring the 23rd pick and selecting JP Hurlbert.
This move came as the team's situation with Dylan Larkin remains unresolved, with Larkin's trade request still pending.
The Red Wings traded Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd pick, which they used to select Hurlbert.
Cossa, a 2021 first-round pick, had yet to make his first NHL start in Detroit at age 23.
The trade adds a highly skilled prospect to the team's system, which has seen most of its premium draft capital go toward more classically projectable players.
Hurlbert represents a nice infusion of creativity to the pipeline.
The Red Wings are currently standing 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record, on a L3 streak.
The team's situation with Larkin will continue to be a major story, with the start of free agency on July 1 less than a week away.
General manager Steve Yzerman's history has shown he's willing to hold out for a return he wants.
The Red Wings will prioritize picks, prospects, or players in the eventual return for Larkin.
And the team's focus on ending a 10-year playoff drought as soon as possible remains a key goal.
But for now, the selection of Hurlbert is a positive move for the team's future.
The trade was also an early end of the road in Detroit for Cossa, who was a two-time AHL All-Star with the Grand Rapids Griffins.