Trades are a risky business. Sometimes they can be just what the team and/or player needs for a fresh start, help the rebuilding process, or a chance to help win an elusive Stanley Cup. Rarely do both teams involved in a deal benefit equally, in fact, one team often wins and one loses, as does the player. Some players’ careers are greatly enhanced by a trade. The opportunity to play for a new coach or environment can unlock an athlete’s full potential.
Read on for 10 players that NHL teams wished they never traded away.
Vancouver Canucks – Cam Neely
There was a lot of hype associated with Cam Neely when he was drafted 9th overall in the 1983 Draft. Unfortunately for the Canucks, they lacked the necessary patience with the development of Neely. After 3 seasons in Vancouver, he was shipped off to Boston where he became one of the top power forwards in the league. Neely played with a hard-edge, physical style of play, but still managed to score 50+ goals in three different seasons. He was the epitome of what a power forward should be. Despite being forced to retire early due to chronic hip problems, Cam Neely was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005. It’s certainly understandable that Vancouver would like a re-do on this trade.
Chicago Blackhawks – Phil Esposito
There are those players that burst onto the scene, others take a few years to put things together, and some need a change of scenery to reach their full potential. Phil Esposito is one of those players. He had moderate success in his first three seasons in Chicago, averaging 24 goals scored, but Esposito unlocked another level after his 1967 trade to Boston. “Espo” was one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, with several seasons of 50, 60, and 70 goals scored. Over his 18-year career, he was named an 8x All-Star and has won many honors, including two Hart Trophies, five Art Ross Trophies, and two Stanley Cups on his way to the Hall of Fame. For the Blackhawks, Phil Esposito is the “one that got away”.
New York Islanders – Zdeno Chara
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Sometimes you don’t know what’s in front of you until it’s gone, and when you miss a 6’8” defenseman, that’s a huge mistake. In the late-1990’s the Islanders were not a very good team, but they were blessed with a hulking blue-liner named Zdeno Chara. In an attempt to change their fortune, and not being fully aware of what they had, the Isles traded Chara to Ottawa. The trade didn’t work for the Isles, but it did for Chara. In Ottawa he developed into an All-Star, two-way defenseman with an incredibly powerful shot, that was on his way to the Hall of Fame. There were many reasons the Islanders were so bad for so long, and making bad decisions like getting rid of Zdeno Chara is one of them.
Montreal Canadiens – Patrick Roy
My Mom always gave good advice and once said to take a deep breath and count to 10 before settling a dispute. Patrick Roy was already on a path to the Hall of Fame when he was traded from the Canadiens to the Colorado Avalanche. Roy spent 12 seasons in Montreal where he won 289 games and two Stanley Cups. After a dispute with the new head coach the goalie was traded to Colorado where he would nearly match his previous success – 262 wins and two Stanley Cups. Unfortunately, the trade was/is viewed as incredibly one-sided in favor of Colorado. Perhaps Montreal should’ve followed my Mom’s advice. Patrick Roy went on to greater championship glory while the Canadiens haven’t won a Cup since 1992-93.
Calgary Flames – Brett Hull
Brett Hull was drafted in the 6th Round of the 1984 Draft, so it’s okay not to expect too much of him, despite his famous last name. During his rookie season for the Flames, Hull had 26 goals and 50 points in 52 games, and then he was traded to St. Louis to finish out the year. It was with the Blues that Hull became one of the top goal-scorers in the 1990s. His dominance included a three-season run with 72, 86, and 70 goals scored, and at least 41 goals scored in 8 out of 9 seasons; the one “off” year was due to the 1994 Lockout when he scored 29 goals in 48 games. The Flames won one Stanley Cup right after Brett Hull was traded, but they would’ve won a few more had they not traded “The Golden Brett” before he hit his prime.
Philadelphia Flyers – Peter Forsberg
There was a reason that the Philadelphia Flyers selected Peter Forsberg 6th overall in the 1991 Draft, he had immense talent. He made his NHL debut during the 1994-95 season and went on to have a Hall of Fame career… but didn’t play for the Flyers until he was 32 years old. Got that? After being drafted, and before ever playing a game, Forsberg was included in the package sent to the Quebec Nordiques (Colorado Avalanche) for Eric Lindros. The deal was a bust for Philadelphia, as Lindros went on to have an injury-filled career and Forsberg won two Stanley Cups with Colorado. This trade goes down as one of the worst ever, and one the Flyers would gladly take back.
Edmonton Oilers – Mark Messier
In the mid-1980s, the Edmonton Oilers dethroned the Islanders dynasty and went on to win 4 Stanley Cup championships of their own. During their run of dominance, Wayne Gretzky was “Batman” to Mark Messier’s “Robin”. They were the perfect 1-2 punch until “The Great One” was traded in 1988. Mark Messier easily slipped into the leadership role and led Edmonton to a 5th Stanley Cup. Fearing a potentially high free-agent contract battle, “Mess” was traded to the Rangers where he successfully led them in their quest to end a 54-year Stanley Cup drought. Messier’s departure led to the dismantling of the Oilers. If Edmonton had paid for and built around Mark Messier, perhaps their dynasty might’ve lasted a few more years.
Boston Bruins – Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton spent so many years playing for San Jose, that one almost forgets that he started his career in Boston. Thornton spent his first 7.5 years with the Bruins and showed his offensive abilities with 101 points during the 2002-03 season. After a contract squabble and a strained relationship with management, he was traded to San Jose during the 2005-06 season. In an odd twist of fate, “Jumbo Joe” won the Hart Trophy the year he was traded. While the Stanley Cup eluded him, Thornton went on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber career over 15 years in San Jose. Imagine what Boston could have accomplished had they kept Joe Thornton in their pursuit of Stanley Cup glory.
New York Rangers – Brian Leetch
Unlike the other players on our list, this one is more about sentiment rather than “what might have been if they stayed?” Brian Leetch arrived in New York as a 19-year-old kid and stayed for 17 years before being traded to Toronto. He never should’ve been traded away. Leetch is one of those rare legends who deserved to spend his career in one place, especially when factoring in where he was in his career. At the time of the trade, the defenseman was 35 years old, and his production was declining. None of the prospects and draft picks New York received worked out, so the return wasn’t worth it. I know, hindsight, but even NYR officials have admitted this trade might’ve been an error.
St. Louis Blues – Scott Stevens (compensation, not trade)
Okay, this one isn’t a traditional trade like the rest of our list, but since the end result was a swap of players, the judge (me) rules… trade. Scott Stevens was already a great defenseman when he signed with the Blues for the 1990-91 season. After one season in St. Louis, Stevens was awarded to the Devils as compensation after the Blues signed restricted free agent Brendan Shanahan. Once Stevens arrived in New Jersey, he took his game to a whole different level, leading them to 3 Stanley Cups. If St. Louis had been able to keep Stevens, sign Shanahan, and pair them with their Brett Hull-led team, perhaps the Blues wouldn’t have needed to wait until 2019 for their one and only Stanley Cup.
