Red Wings trade Anthony Mantha to Capitals for first and second round picks, Vrana and Panik

DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Red Wings made a trade on deadline day.

And it's a big one.

Detroit is moving Anthony Mantha to the Washington Capitals, just months after signing him to a four-year contract extension.

"This was an opportunity that came along to add draft picks to it, but also win as many games as possible," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said.

Washington is sending a 2021 first round pick and 2022 second round pick along with forwards Richard Panik and Jakub Vrana to Detroit.

Yzerman said it's clear Mantha and Vrana were both underperforming their usual outputs.

"It just worked out at this time. We saw a fit. We were able to get a replacement for Anthony: similar age. And we were able to add assets too," he said.

Mantha has 21 points in 42 games this season. In November, he signed a four-year deal with the Red Wings, worth an annual average value of $5.7 million per season.

Yzerman said "the market was a little bit different" at this trade deadline.

"I accomplished everything I could that made sense for us. Could I have done more? Maybe. You do what you can do," he said.

Yzerman said the Red Wings core is still young. He mentioned Larkin and Hronek, and said Zadina and Rasmussen are coming along.

"We want to surround them with players who help them grow and develop, too," Yzerman said. "It's an easy thing to do: just trade out all your good players and get draft picks. But you still have to play... We thought it was a good fit."