Red Wings deal Mike Green to Oilers as trade deadline nears

Detroit — Is there more to come for the Red Wings on trade deadline day?

They got an early start in the wee hours Monday morning, dealing defenseman Mike Green to the Edmonton Oilers for forward Kyle Brodziak and a conditional draft pick in either 2020 or 2021.

The draft pick will be Edmonton’s 2020 fourth-round selection for the Red Wings — unless the Oilers reach the Western Conference finals and Green plays in half of Edmonton’s games. If that happens, it becomes Edmonton’s 2021 third-round draft pick.

The NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m., with the Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman rumored to be in discussions for potential deals regarding forward Andreas Athanasiou, and possibly defenseman Trevor Daley.

Green is one of the players who attracted increased attention in recent days, as all veteran defensemen on expiring deals tend to do as the deadline nears.

Staying healthy has been an issue for Green, 34, who has played 48 games this season. Green has struggled offensively with only 11 points (three goals), with a career-worst minus-32 plus-minus rating.

But Green’s offensive ability, and capabilities with the puck, could fit nicely with Edmonton’s young goal-scorers.

"Thank you @DetroitRed Wings for the past five years," Green tweeted Monday. "I"m deeply grateful; it was an honor to play for the winged wheel. To all the fans that make Detroit hockey town — I say thank you, kindly."

To make salaries fit under the salary cap, the Red Wings will retain half of Green’s remaining salary cap hit ($2.687 million) and took on Brodziak’s contract.

Brodziak, 35, in the final year of his $1.15 million contract, retired because of a back injury in September. But the Wings needed to accept Brodziak’s contract to make the deal work for both sides financially under the salary cap.

Green waived his modified no-trade clause to make the deal go through.

Green and Athanasiou were both held back from Sunday’s lineup, as the Wings protected potential assets that could be dealt.

Athanasiou, 25, is a restricted free agent this summer, and could be an intriguing fit for a contender looking for an asset that would stay for more than one season.

Daley, 36, is like Green, an unrestricted free agent this summer. A pure rental, Green has been on two Stanley Cup teams in Pittsburgh, and would add valuable depth to a contending team.

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tkulfan