The Detroit Red Wings have traded Mike Commodore to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional 7th round pick. There’s no word yet what the conditions are — but it’s likely “if Commodore re-signs in Tampa,” so it’s very likely a trade just to open up a roster spot — not only on the big club, but also on the 50-contract limit.
Speculation seems to be that there’s another deal in the works — the Wings needed to move a contract to clear room for any kind of acquisition. With this move, the Wings are able to acquire another player — likely a forward — without having to trade anything other than draft picks.
It’s ballsy for Ken Holland to trade an insurance defenseman right after losing Jonathan Ericsson for a month to a fractured wrist. It looks like the Red Wings would rather have the vacant space than Mike Commodore. Brendan Smith has already been recalled and will be in the lineup tomorrow night because “another defenseman” will be sidelined.
It’s no secret that Mike Commodore was unhappy with his playing situation in Detroit — having only gotten into 17 games since signing in July. Ken Holland may have done Commie a favor — allowing him to play more regularly and contribute to the team.
The official press release:
Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the club has traded veteran defenseman Mike Commodore to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a conditional draft pick.Commodore, 32, was signed by the Red Wings as a free agent on July 1, 2011. He appeared in 17 games for Detroit this season, collecting two points (0-2-2), 21 PIM and a +3 rating. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, native has appeared in 471 career NHL games for the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Red Wings.Mike Commodore, DefenseBorn Nov 7 1979 -- Fort Saskatchewan, ALTAHeight 6.04 -- Weight 225 -- Shoots RSelected by New Jersey in the second round (#42 overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2000-01 New Jersey Devils NHL 20 1 4 5 14 -- -- -- -- --2000-01 Albany River Rats AHL 41 2 5 7 59 -- -- -- -- --2001-02 New Jersey Devils NHL 37 0 1 1 30 -- -- -- -- --2001-02 Albany River Rats AHL 14 0 3 3 31 -- -- -- -- --2002-03 Calgary Flames NHL 6 0 1 1 19 -- -- -- -- --2002-03 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 61 2 9 11 210 -- -- -- -- --2002-03 Saint John Flames AHL 7 0 3 3 18 -- -- -- -- --2003-04 Calgary Flames NHL 12 0 0 0 25 20 0 2 2 192003-04 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 37 5 11 16 75 -- -- -- -- --2004-05 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 73 6 29 35 175 11 1 2 3 182005-06 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 72 3 10 13 138 25 2 2 4 332006-07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82 7 22 29 113 -- -- -- -- --2007-08 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 41 3 9 12 74 -- -- -- -- --2007-08 Ottawa Senators NHL 26 0 2 2 26 4 0 2 2 02008-09 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 81 5 19 24 100 4 0 0 0 182009-10 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 57 2 9 11 62 -- -- -- -- --2010-11 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 20 2 4 6 44 -- -- -- -- --2010-11 Springfield Falcons AHL 11 0 2 2 20 -- -- -- -- --2011-12 Detroit Red Wings NHL 17 0 2 2 21--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NHL Totals 471 23 83 106 666 53 2 6 8 70
Photo Credit: Rob Grabowski, US Presswire