Canucks at 50: Trading away Neely left ‘them a little short of muscle up front’
In the summer of 1986 the Canucks gave up on a young, local power forward in Cam Neely, trading him to the Boston Bruins, along with a firstround pick, for Barry Pederson. Tony Gallagher wrote on the trade:
Put aside any thoughts of the Vancouver Canucks not signing Barry Pederson. He’s expected in town this week to sign the largest contract in the NHL club’s history — $1.75 million Canadian over five years.
The 25-year-old centre had already agreed to terms when Friday’s trade with the Boston Bruins was made, the Canucks giving up right winger Cam Neely and a first-round pick this year or next (Boston’s option) to get him.
“I was going to play golf, but when it rained I decided to come into the office,” said Bruins general manager Harry Sinden.
“I had a call from Vancouver on my desk at 7 a.m. their time, so I knew someone was anxious to make a deal.”
In acquiring Pederson there seems little doubt the Canucks have improved the club, though giving up Neely leaves them a little short of muscle up front. And while Pederson says he’s not coming in to save the franchise, the man he may help the most is Swedish centre Patrik Sundstrom.
“I know a lot of the Swedish players in the league don’t like to be front and centre,” said Pederson of the likelihood he’ll take the pressure off Sundstrom. “I’ll be there to help in any way I can, and if I can help Patrik, so much the better for the club.”
Pederson, who got a clean bill of health when he underwent tests a month ago to check on possible recurrence of the fibrous tumors in his bicep, says security was his main goal in contract negotiations.
“I was interested in some security for my family and I wanted at least a four-year deal,” he said.
The Bruins will be able to wait until the No. 7 selection comes up at this year’s draft to decide whether they will choose this year or next. With Neely, tailor-made for the Boston rink, and Thomas Gradin already acquired from the Canucks, the first-round pick is a bonus.
“I’m disappointed to leave, I wanted to show the fans of Vancouver that this past season was just a bad year,” said Neely. “I would have liked more ice-time here but (coach) Tom (Watt) didn’t have confidence in me in our end. He’s a knowledgeable coach, but I definitely think I needed more playing time. When Stan Smyl got hurt there at the end, he didn’t have any choice but to give me more and I thought I had a good close to the year.”
Neely wasn’t the only trade the Canucks made that day though, also shipping another number one pick out out town. Gallagher wrote:
“Have the Philadelphia Flyers flushed the whizzer on the Vancouver Canucks again?
Time will tell and nobody looks at the negatives in a trade until proven beyond a doubt, but the late Friday deal with the Flyers leaves the Canucks with very little upside potential.
Coming to Vancouver is Rich Sutter, the only one of the six hockey-playing brothers ever to be traded, Dave Richter, a 6’5″ behemoth defenceman and the third-round draft choice the Canucks gave up in the last deal to acquire Glenn Cochrane. Going to Philly is J.J. Daigneault a defenceman whose delusions of grandeur frequently miffed coaches Tom Watt and Jack Mcilhargey, and a second-round draft pick either this year or next, and a fifth-round pick in 1987.
If Boston takes Vancouver’s first-round pick this year, the Canucks keep their number two selection. If Boston relents,
Philly takes the pick.
“After watching the deal that sent first-rounders Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago away turn out the way it did, I didn’t think they’d ever do that again,” said Daigneault, who once complained to coaches about being benched because he wouldn’t be able to catch up with Ray Bourque in points. “But I’ve got a picture at home of myself in a Flyers sweatshirt. I guess it meant something.”
The Canucks now have a member of a famous family in hockey, but precious little else. Playing with an excellent club, Sutter had just 14 goals and 199 penalty minutes last year.
“We knew when we lost this year there would be changes made, we just prayed it wouldn’t be us,” said the twin of Flyers centre Ron Sutter.
“I think this may be tougher on Ron that me. We had houses across the street from each other and Ronnie was always over at our place. I’m happy to be going to Vancouver but I am a little shocked.”
Sutter’s father, Louis, was furious with the deal, calling Flyers general manager Bob Clarke unrepeatable names and claiming Ron will not report to the Flyers next year. And both Sutter and Richter had uncomplimentary remarks about Flyers coach Mike Keenan.
“It’s beneath me to any further than to say there are some differences,” said Sutter.
“Let’s just say he’s very, very demanding,” said Richter, whose legendary toughness should give the goons of the Smythe Division some concern if he can get onto the ice.