Defenseman Zidlicky traded to Red Wings by Devils

Monday, 03.02.2015 / 9:27 PM NHL.com

The Detroit Red Wings acquired defenseman Marek Zidlicky from the New Jersey Devils on Monday for a conditional third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Red Wings will send the Devils their third-round pick in 2016 and a fifth-round selection in 2015 if they advance to the Eastern Conference Final. If Detroit reaches the Stanley Cup Final, New Jersey will receive a second-round pick in 2016.

"A right-handed shot, we haven't had that since [Brian Rafalski in 2001-12], really, powering in from the point on the power play," Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "So I think that's something we've been looking for and we're going to be really excited to have him here."

Zidlicky, 38, has four goals and 23 points in 63 games this season.

"I don't know what more Marek could have given us," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He was a warrior. He brings intensity each and every night. Played every night and played hard. Took 19, 20 minutes a night, in power-play, in 5-on-5 situations."

The Devils will retain $1 million of his salary, according to ESPN.com.

A sixth-round pick of the New York Rangers (No. 176) in the 2001 NHL Draft, Zidlicky has 82 goals and 390 points in 762 games with the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild and Devils. Fifty-six of his goals have come on the power play.

The Red Wings acquired forward Erik Cole from the Dallas Stars in a trade Sunday.

"The moves we've made the last couple of days to make us a little deeper and a little better, that’s really all you can do," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said.

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