Memorable NHL trades produced big impacts
JOSHUA CLIPPERTON
While the NHL’s introduction of a salary cap has made it more difficult for teams to make trades, there’s still a long history of wheeling and dealing.
Ahead of the Wednesday trade deadline, here’s a look at some of the league’s most memorable — and infamous — swaps.
GRETZKY TO KINGS
The Great One was coming off a fourth Stanley Cup in five years in 1988 when Edmonton owner Peter Pocklington swung a deal with the Kings that included players, draft picks and US$15 million going to the Oilers. Fans in Edmonton and across Canada were furious, but “The Trade” helped cement the NHL in California and paved the way for further expansion.
ROY TO AVALANCHE
Patrick Roy won two Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, but a bad night in 1995 sealed the goalie’s fate with Montreal. Habs coach Mario Tremblay left his star netminder in for nine goals in an 11-1 loss to Detroit at the Montreal Forum. After finally getting pulled, a furious Roy told team president Ronald Corey, seated behind the bench, that he had played his last game for Montreal. Roy was traded to the Avalanche, where he would win the Cup in 1996 and 2001.
LINDROS TO FLYERS
The Quebec Nordiques selected Eric Lindros with the first pick in the 1991 draft despite the hulking forward having no interest in playing for the team. Quebec would work out a deal with Philadelphia for Lindros the following year that included Peter Forsberg going to the Nordiques. The Flyers were thrilled to get one of the most physically gifted players in NHL history.
NEELY TO BRUINS
Vancouver selected Cam Neely ninth overall in 1983, but gave up on the power forward in a deal that also sent a first-round pick in the 1987 draft to Boston for Barry Pederson. A native of Comox, B.C., Neely never scored more than 39 points with the Canucks, but had 36 goals in his first season with the Bruins. He would finish with three 50-goal campaigns before retiring in 1996.
GILMOUR TO LEAFS
The Maple Leafs’ acquisition of Doug Gilmour in a 10-player trade with Calgary in 1992 helped propel Toronto to its best run since the city’s last Stanley Cup in 1967. Gilmour put up 238 points in his first two full seasons with Toronto, leading the Leafs to backto-back conference finals.
ESPOSITO TO BRUINS
The Boston Bruins acquired Phil Esposito from Chicago in a six-player trade in 1967. Esposito led the league in scoring five times with Boston, including a 76-goal, 76-assist campaign in 1970-71. He also helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in both 1970 and 1972, Boston’s first titles since 1941.