Detroit Red Wings Add Center Depth in Three-Team Trade

The Detroit Red Wings yesterday made two trades and acquired center depth. The deal involved three teams swapping three players.

The Red Wings kicked this deal off by sending forward Givani Smith to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Micahel Del Zotto. Detroit then traded Del Zotto to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Danny O’Regan. O’Regan is likely to report to their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Detroit Red Wings acquired O’Regan and traded Smith and Del Zotto.

O’Regan has spent the entire 2022-23 season with the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. With the Gulls, O’Regan has totaled three goals and 15 assists for 18 points and eight penalty minutes in 27 games.

O’Regan was selected by Anaheim’s rival, the San Jose Sharks, in the fifth round (138th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Before turning pro, O’Regan played four seasons at Boston University. In his college career, he scored 66 goals and added 88 assists for 154 points, 72 penalty minutes, and a plus-28 in 154 games from 2012-2016.

O’Regan, from Berlin, Germany,  has 30 NHL games on his resume. He has had stints with the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Buffalo Sabres, producing one goal and five assists for six points.

He was used primarily as a middle-six forward and on some penalty-kill units. He does have some value, providing a solid two-way game, and adding some grit, and can be used anywhere in the lineup, as he has also played some left wing.

He is an experienced AHL player who can mentor the younger talent and can lead by example.

O’Regan was acquired to be scoring depth. It is hard to say how he will be used in Grand Rapids, but he will likely not be used on the first line or lead the team in points. However, he can provide secondary scoring and be a veteran presence.

With the lack of center depth in Grand Rapids, he is a welcomed addition. He could get a cup of tea with the Detroit Red Wings, no more. A good, solid pickup for the Detroit Red Wings.