TRADE: Predators & Red Wings Swap Young Players

The Nashville Predators have acquired defenseman Andrew Gibson from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Jesse Kiiskinen and a 2024 second-round pick (53rd overall).

UPDATE: The #RedWings today acquired a 2nd round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (originally Tampa’s) and forward Jesse Kiiskinen from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Andrew Gibson. pic.twitter.com/OCJ0wOUoJ7
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 25, 2024

The Predators have landed a very interesting prospect from the Red Wings with this move. Gibson, 19, was selected by the Red Wings with the 42nd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and he has the upside to become an impactful defenseman at the NHL level later down the road.

Gibson is coming off a career year with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, as he set new career highs with 12 goals, 32 assists, and 44 points in 68 games. That is solid production from the point, and he also had a strong plus-36 rating on the year. It was a major step in the right direction with his development, as he had 21 points in 45 games last season.

Kiiskinen, on the other hand, was selected by the Predators with the 68th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward spent most of this season with the Pelicans of the Finnish Hockey League, where he had four goals and 10 points in 38 games. He also dominated with the Pelicans U20 team, recording 14 goals and 21 points in just eight games.

Overall, this is a rather intriguing trade between the two clubs. The Predators have landed a 6-foot-4 defenseman with good upside, while the Red Wings used their surplus of defense prospects to add a solid forward prospect.