Detroit — The Red Wings continued to stay busy, as the minutes ticked down to the end of the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m.
The Wings sent forward Oskar Sundqvist to Minnesota for a fourth-round draft pick in this year’s draft, capping a busy week of activity for general manager Steve Yzerman.
Earlier in the day, the Wings traded forward Jakub Vrana to St. Louis for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick and minor-league forward Dylan McLaughlin.
This week, the Wings dealt forward Tyler Bertuzzi to Boston for a 2024 first-round draft pick and 2025 fourth-round pick, and sent defenseman Filip Hronek to Vancouver (along with a 2023 fourth-round pick) for a conditional 2023 first-round pick (top-12 protected, goes to 2024 unprotected if the pick falls in top 12 this summer) and 2024 second-rounder.
So, the fourth-round selection the Wings received from Minnesota replaces what they sent to Vancouver in the Hronek trade.
In all, the Wings now have five picks in the first two rounds of this summer’s draft (two in the first round) and two first-round picks in 2024.
Sundqvist, 28, had seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 52 games with the Wings. The Wings acquired Sundqvist last year at the deadline, along with Jake Walman and draft picks, for Nick Leddy.
A prospective unrestricted free agent, Sundqvist was in the final year of a four-year, $11 million contract.
Vrana, who was acquired at the trade deadline two seasons ago for Anthony Mantha, was sent to the Blues, with the Wings retaining 50% of Vrana’s salary ($5.25 million) for the remainder of this year and next season.
Vrana played the first two games of this regular season, then entered an NHL/NHLPA players assistance program, not playing for two months.
Upon returning to the Wings, Vrana was waived and went unclaimed, then was sent to minor-league affiliate Grand Rapids.
Vrana had no points in three games since returning, one goal and one assist in five total games this season.
Vrana had 21 goals in 37 games over parts of two seasons with the Wings. Vrana missed the majority of last season when he injured a shoulder early in the first practice of training camp and required surgery. Vrana only played 26 games last season, with 13 goals.
McLaughlin, 27, is a career minor-leaguer who scored 13 goals in 55 games with Springfield last season with Rockford. He’s only played six games this season in Springfield because of injuries.
The Wings have loaned McLaughlin back to Springfield.
Husso hurting
Coach Derek Lalonde said goaltender Ville Husso will not be available Saturday when the Wings visit Long Island to face the Islanders (12:30 p.m./BSD/The Ticket), and he didn’t sound optimistic Husso would be ready to go Sunday in Philadelphia
The Wings will need another goaltender for this two-game, two-day road trip, Lalonde said, and the Wings recalled Alex Nedeljkovic from Grand Rapids.
Husso wasn’t 100% physically Thursday in the 5-4 overtime loss against Seattle.
“He was dealing with an injury,” Lalonde said. “And again, probably not his sharpest, but he gave us some real good saves down the stretch and he was part of us getting that point (in the standings) late in the game.
“He’s been dealing with something. I don’t think it’s major. I don’t think he’ll be available to us (Saturday) and maybe not the weekend, but I don’t think it’s longer-term.”
Lalonde added that defenseman Jordan Oesterle, removed from the injured list this week, is ready to play.
Lalonde also said the Wings might recall a forward from Grand Rapids for the road trip.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan
Red Wings at Islanders
▶ Faceoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, UBS Arena, Elmont, N.Y.
▶ TV/radio: BSD/97.1
▶ Outlook: The Islanders (31-25-8) hold the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, but have also played more games than anyone, which puts them in a somewhat precarious position. The Islanders and Wings have split two games this season. C Brock Nelson (27 goals, 60 points) leads offensively, and newly-acquired C Bo Horvat (36 goals between Vancouver and NYI) has provided an expected spark.