To make space for Brimsek, Thompson was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Normie Smith and $15,000; Thompson also received a $1,000 bonus from Boston.
Ob koncu sezone so Thompsona prvič v karieri imenovali v prvo moštvo zvezd lige NHL, istočasno je še tretjič postal dobitnik vratarske lovorike Vezina Trophy in se tako s tremi naslovi izenačil z Gerogem Hainsworthom.