 
    History of NHL trades
 
   
    
| Minnesota North Stars acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | January 3, 1980 | 
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| Minnesota North Stars acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | January 3, 1980 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | Philadelphia Flyers acquire | ||||
| 
 | September 4, 1979 | 
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| Los Angeles Kings acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | August 22, 1979 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | Pittsburgh Penguins acquire | ||||
| 
 | August 3, 1979 | 
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| Los Angeles Kings acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | December 6, 1978 | 
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| St. Louis Blues acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | October 10, 1978 | 
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| Minnesota North Stars acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | July 27, 1978 | 
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| Toronto Maple Leafs acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | March 13, 1978 | 
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| Hartford Whalers acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | February 11, 1978 | 
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| Los Angeles Kings acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | January 9, 1978 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | Chicago Blackhawks acquire | ||||
| 
 | December 2, 1977 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | Philadelphia Flyers acquire | ||||
| 
 | November 1, 1977 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | New York Islanders acquire | ||||
| 
 | October 20, 1977 | 
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| Atlanta Flames acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | August 18, 1977 | 
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| Detroit Red Wings acquire | Date | Washington Capitals acquire | ||||
| 
 | August 17, 1977 | 
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| Atlanta Flames acquire | Date | Detroit Red Wings acquire | ||||
| 
 | August 1, 1977 | 
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