The Red Wings have made a move ahead of Friday's trade deadline, but not to improve their roster.
Detroit served as the broker in a three-team trade that saw the Lightning acquire veteran forwards Yanni Gourde -- a potential fit with the Red Wings -- and Olivier Bjorkstrand from the Kraken.
The Red Wings absorbed 25 percent of Gourde's remaining salary this season and landed a 2025 fourth-round pick from Tampa for their troubles. Gourde is in the final year of his contract.
The Kraken, meanwhile, acquired first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 and a second-rounder this year from the Lightning, who are adding two proven producers to their lineup as they pursue another Stanley Cup.
Gourde started his career with the Lightning under current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman and helped the team win back-to-back Cups. He would have been a good addition for Detroit as it pursues a playoff spot without injured center Andrew Copp.
The Red Wings are on the cusp of a wild card spot with 21 games to go, and trying to snap a franchise-worst eight-year playoff drought.
Detroit also traded defensive prospect Kyle Aucoin to the Kraken in the deal. Aucoin, a sixth-round pick in 2020, is in his senior season at Harvard.
The fourth-round pick going from the Lightning to the Red Wings will be the earlier selection between Tampa Bay’s and Edmonton's fourth-rounders this year. The Red Wings now own nine picks in the 2025 draft, with additional picks in the third, fourth and seventh rounds.