NHL Trades That Shocked the League, Part II

So why is it such a bad trade…Well this trade effectively sent back the Canadiens 10 years, started the rebuilding process in Montreal which they are just barely getting out of the last two years, gave Colorado two Stanley Cups, a "can’t miss" hall-of-famer, not to mention the best goaltender in the NHL at that point. This is why Colorado retired Roy’s number before Montreal.

Just looking at the impact this trade had on the Canadiens makes me quiver. The team was not the same for the next 10 years after. If New Jersey traded Martin Brodeur for a bag of pucks it would have the same effect…

In 1996, Vancouver traded right-winger Alex Stojanov to Pittsburgh for right-winger Markus Naslund.

Well…I don’t think anybody can accurately say they understand this deal. I’m confused as to what went through Pittsburg’s managers minds. It’s a complete mystery.

Okay, let’s just try to understand the trade:

Both are first round draft picks in 1991…a good start. Stojanov was picked higher, seventh overall, Naslund was 16th. Both were expected to have good careers and at the moment of the trade. Naslund is Swedish, Stojanov is…well you probably thought he’s Russian right. Technically he’s not, he’s actually from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

In a lot of general manager’s minds, North American players have lots more chances to make the NHL and are more "dependable" than Europeans. That might’ve thought Stojanov would have less trouble adapting to pro hockey in America.

Naslund had a slight advantage, being more productive. But that production could’ve been a fluke, Naslund may have taken advantage of a few of his ultra productive teammates like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, Petr Nedved, and Sergei Zubov. Stojanov, on his side, had Alexander Mogilny, Trevor Linden, Cliff Ronning, and Russ Courtnall that were less productive.

At the time of the trade, Naslund and Stojanov were both 22. Pittsburgh already had a few youngsters in their ranks ready for prime-time. Jagr, Nedved and Smolinski were all 23. They also had highly regarded Glen Murray at 22 years old. So they probably thought they had enough talented young as it is.

As for Marcus Naslund, well we know what happened with him. He spent 12 years with the Canucks, became captain of the team, notched over 700 points with the Canucks. He had three consecutive seasons over 40 goals and at this point, he’s the most prolific scorer in Vancouver Canucks history.

In the end, Pittsburgh traded a high scoring top three forward, possible franchise player and leader…for a goon. This is definitely one of the worst trades in NHL history if not the worst. Maybe a pro hockey career wasn’t meant to be for Stojanov…especially when you end your career with the New Mexico Scorpions!

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