The Detroit Red Wings traded their first-round pick to the St. Louis Blues on the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Consequently, they entered Friday’s first round of the 2026 NHL Draft with no pick. That modified in an enormous way on Friday night, and the Red Wings added Kamloops Blazers winger JP Hurlbert to their prospect pipeline.
The Red Wings traded goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the twenty third pick. Hurlbert gives them a talented winger who was one of the crucial prolific scorers within the CHL this season. He dominated the WHL as a rookie with the Blazers, and he gives Detroit’s pipeline a needed injection of high-upside offensive talent. After the draft, he sent a message to Red Wings fans.
HEY JP‼️ pic.twitter.com/NiGnzREAso
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 27, 2026
Following his selection, he also did an interview with Sportsnet. On this interview, he mentioned that it is a full-circle moment for him. Hurlbert has family from the Detroit area, making this moment that far more meaningful.
“They got me into hockey. I used to be a Red Wings fan growing up. My whole family is from Detroit. It is so special to give you the chance to placed on this jersey. I’m so excited,” Hurlbert told Sportsnet on Friday night.
The Red Wings are one of the crucial talked-about teams this offseason for a wide range of reasons. Cossa and team captain Dylan Larkin entered the draft as clear trade candidates. Cossa ends his tenure with Detroit having played one NHL game. He had ups and downs within the AHL and lost his starting role in net before the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Detroit could afford to trade from a position of strength to deal with an area of need. General manager Steve Yzerman did just that on Friday night. And it should be intriguing to see when Hurlbert will make an impact on the ice in Hockeytown.
The Detroit Red Wings traded their first-round pick to the St. Louis Blues on the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Consequently, they entered Friday’s first round of the 2026 NHL Draft with no pick. That modified in an enormous way on Friday night, and the Red Wings added Kamloops Blazers winger JP Hurlbert to their prospect pipeline.