The Detroit Red Wings were busy to start the new year. Detroit has been solidifying the teams future all the while staying competitive. The short rebuilding phase was never intended to kick into high gear and rebuild completely. The Wings have now managed to get rid of most of the players who were upcoming free agents at seasons end and replace them with players of similar talent who're locked up longer term, and they can scratch one more name off that list.
Late Sunday night the Wings and Steve Sullivan came to terms on a 2 year deal with a no-trade clause also added to the deal. Sullivan, who has been having a great year in Detroit with 30pts in 34 games, was more than happy to remain in Detroit and not much negotiating was needed as both parties were on the same page.
After signing Sullivan, Detroit got the wheels turning on a pair of trades, which are pretty much done once the league approves. Detroit sent Alexei Yashin packing to Buffalo in return for Mike York. Yashin who was having a good year in Detroit was moved to free up much needed cap room, and Mike York is someone the Wings had a lot of interest in acquiring for awhile.
Detroit then got on the phone with the Rangers and after long talks the two teams finally came to terms on a large deal which sees Lombardi, Bernier, Tarnstrom, Whitney, and a pick in 07 head to New York in return for David Tanabe, and Sullivan's good friend Paul Kariya.
Rumors have it that Detroit is still looking to make trades and it should come as no surprise if another is made within the next week or two.