Red Wings Add Cross, Deal Rivers at Trade Deadline

As the National Hockey League’s trade deadline came near on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings made two moves to change up their defensive corps.

Jamie Rivers, in his second season with Detroit, was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2007 NHL Entry draft.

In 15 games with the Red Wings this season, Rivers had an even plus/minus rating and tallied one assist.

“It’s tough to leave a contender, but it’s not a secret that I’ve been more of a depth guy this year and haven’t really contributed much in terms of games played,” Rivers told Canadian sports network TSN. “I just think it’s an opportunity to show that I can play more minutes in this league and maybe play a bigger role.

“You never know where the Coyotes might end up in a couple of years.”

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland then moved to add a grittier reserve defenseman to the team, picking up veteran Cory Cross from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2007 draft.

“We’re very pleased to have Cory join the Red Wings,” Holland said. “He’s a veteran NHL defenseman that brings size, strength and depth to our blueline. He moves the puck well and will fit in to our style of game.”

Cross started the season with the Edmonton Oilers, playing 34 games before being traded to the Penguins on January 26. He only played six games with Pittsburgh before joining the Red Wings.

On the season, Cross has scored two goals, added four assists, and compiled a -6 plus/minus rating.