Detroit Red Wings: 5 Of The Best Trades in Red Wings History

The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL and professional sports in the last two decades.

The Red Wings are normally known for late draft picks and home grown players that develop.

Well they have also made some big pickups in the past as we take a look at some of the best trades they have made.

1. 1997, Larry Murphy for Future Considerations

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19 Nov 1999: Larry Murphy #55 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on from the ice during the game against the Calgary Flames at the Canadian Airlines Saddledome in Calgary, Canada. The Flames defeated the Red Wings 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Ian Tomlinson /Allsp

In 1997 the Red Wings traded for Larry Murphy.

And what a trade it was.

The Red Wings made the deal around the trade deadline on march 18, as they needed some help on the back end. Murphy would go on to play in Detroit until 2001, when he retired from the NHL.

He helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup that year and also the next year in 1998 when they won back to back Cups.

2. 1997, Brendan Shanahan for Paul Coffey, Keith Primeau and Draft Pick

The Red Wings were looking to go forward in their future, and they got just that with this trade.

Shanahan brought fighting and scoring to the Red Wings, which they needed. Shanahan helped Detroit win the Stanley Cup his first year there and also the next year in 1998, and again in 2002.

Also, in a city that loves Gordie Howe hat tricks—goal,fight and assist in one game—Shanahan was able to get 17 of them!

He was also a fan favorite while at Detroit and will always be remembered in Hockeytown. 

3. 1999, Chris Chelios for Anders Ericksson and 1st Round Draft Pick

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DETROIT - JUNE 12: Chris Chelios #24 of the Detroit Red Wings warms up before playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Seven of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

The Red Wings shocked the hockey world on March 23, 1999 when they got Chris Chelios.

Chelios always said Chicago was his home and how much he hated Detroit. Well he didn't hate it too much as he wanted to come to Detroit in this deal.

Chelios played 10 seasons in Detroit and won two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings before retiring last season. 

4.2003, Mathieu Schneider for Sean Avery, Maxim Kuznetsov and a First Round Pick

Schneider was one of the best defenseman in the game when he played from 1988-2010.

The Red Wings needed a man to help Nick Lidstrom on the blue line, and Schneider was a perfect fit.

He put up 181 points in his 4 years with the Red Wings, and although he never won a Cup with Detroit, he made for a good fit in Hockeytown. 

5. 2008, Brad Stuart for 2nd and 4th Round Picks

Brad Stuart was drafted 3rd overall in 1998 by the San Jose Sharks.

Ever since then he has been on the Kings, Flames and Bruins. The Red Wings were looking to make a move at the 2008 trade deadline and they did just that with Stuart.

His first couple years in Detroit were a bit shaky, but now he has been playing like he can the last two years and is a top D-man for the Red Wings.

He is still on the Red Wings today and may be for some time to come.