Red Wings Trade Smith in Three-Team Deal; Czarnik Clears Waivers

Givani Smith’s time with the Detroit Red Wings came to an end on Monday. The club traded the forward to the Florida Panthers as part of a three-team deal that is also involving the Anaheim Ducks.

Originally, the Red Wings were flipping Smith to the Panthers for journeyman veteran defenseman Michael Del Zotto. Next, the Wings were shipping Del Zotto to the Ducks for forward Danny O’Regan. Next, they were assigning O’Regan to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

O’Regan an AHL Veteran

O’Regan is a native of Berlin, Germany. His arrival will be helping to boost a Grand Rapids foward unit that’s been depleted by call ups to Detroit. He has appeared in 361 AHL games throughout parts of seven seasons. During that time frame, O’Regan was registering 273 points (99-174-273) and 124 penalty minutes.

The 28-year-old was winning the AHL Rookie of the Year in 2016-17 by amassing 58 points (23-35-58) in 63 games with the San Jose Barracuda. The 5-10 forward was the 138th overall selection by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. O’Regan has appeared in 30 NHL contests and has one goal and five assists.

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today acquired D Michael Del Zotto from the Florida Panthers in exchange for RW Givani Smith and subsequently traded Del Zotto to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for C Danny O’Regan.

📰 » https://t.co/h4BcCFV2fo pic.twitter.com/lCv6KiVvXh

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 19, 2022

Prior to turning pro, O’Regan suited up for four seasons at Boston University, serving as an alternate captain in his senior year. In the 2015-16 season, O’Regan was named to the Second All-American Team when he totaled 44 points (17-27-44) in 39 games. He captured a gold medal with Team USA at the U18 World Championship in 2011-12, contibuting one goal and three assists in six games.

Smith Part of Red Wings History

His time as a Red Wings player was brief, but it was enabling Smith to make history. When he suited up alongside his brother Gemel for Detroit during a Feb. 14, 2022 game at the Minnesota Wild, it was marking the first time since March 30, 1969 (Frank and Peter Mahovlich) that brothers were playing alongside each other for the Red Wings.

Smith tallied 14 points (7-7-14) in 85 NHL contests with the Red Wings from 2019-23, suiting up for two games this season. He led the team last season with 108 penalty minutes.

Czarnik Clears Waivers

In other news that could ultimately prove to be very good news for the Red Wings, forward Austin Czarnik was clearing NHL waivers on Monday. By putting Czarnik on waivers, the team was opening 30-day window in which he can be given assignment to GR without the need to again clear waivers.

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This was likely a pre-emptive move by Detroit. It likely means that one of either Jakub Vrana (personal) or Robby Fabbri (knee surgery) will be joining the active roster.