Red Wings trade Commodore

Gingers need a ton of sunscreen

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, Defense
Born Nov 7 1979  -- Fort Saskatchewan, ALTA
Height 6.04 -- Weight 225 -- Shoots R

Selected 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  19
2003-04  Lowell Lock Monsters        AHL    37    5   11   16   75  --  --  --  --  --
2004-05  Lowell Lock Monsters        AHL    73    6   29   35  175  11   1   2   3  18
2005-06  Carolina Hurricanes         NHL    72    3   10   13  138  25   2   2   4  33
2006-07  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   0
2008-09  Columbus Blue Jackets       NHL    81    5   19   24  100   4   0   0   0  18
2009-10  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