NHL Trades: Best Trade in Each Team's History

A trade, by definition, is the business of buying and selling commodities (players), or an exchange of one thing for another.

Trading can be a gusty move especially when since never end up being equal. However, that gutsy call can change a franchise from a doormat to perennial winners.

Here is a list of player(s) who made a significant difference on their new teams once they were traded.

Anaheim Ducks

When: July 3rd, 2006

To Anaheim: Chris Pronger

To Edmonton: Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Šmíd, first-round pick in 2007 (Riley Nash), and first- (Jordan Eberle) and second-round picks in 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Significance: After falling short in Game 7 with Edmonton in the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Pronger was traded to the Ducks in the offseason. In his first season in Anaheim (2006-07) he brought valuable experience and leadership, helping the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. In 258 games including the playoffs with Anaheim Pronger had 43 goals and 180 points

Boston Bruins

When: November 7th, 1975

To Boston: Brad Park, Jean Ratelle and Joe Zanussi.

To New York Rangers: Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais

Significance: The Rangers were thought to be receiving the better player in Esposito but the Bruins were the team that came out on top. Park was Bobby Orr's partner and eventual replacement as the team's No. 1 defenseman. He was a two-time First-Team All-Star in Boston and in 501 career games with the Bruins had 417 points as well as playing in four All-Star games. He led the Bruins to back-to-back Stanley Cup appearances in 1977 and 1978.

Park was also a Norris Trophy runner-up in six times in his career, including twice in Boston, and in 1988 was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 67 games with the Bruins that year, Ratelle scored 31 goals and 90 points. He won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1976 for skill and sportsmanship and in 1985 was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Buffalo Sabres

When: August 7th, 1992

To Buffalo: Dominik Hašek

To Chicago: Stephane Beauregard and future considerations (draft pick Éric Dazé)

Significance: After losing to the Penguins in the 1992 Stanley Cup, the Blackhawks decided to stay with Ed Belfour and Jimmy Waite in goal. Hašek went on to win seven Vezina Trophies in Buffalo as well becoming the first goalie to win two Hart Trophies as the League's most valuable player in 1997 and 1998. Hašek Lester B. Pearson awards, as voted on by the players, in the same years. Additionally, he was a six-time first-team NHL All-Star with the Sabres and led them to the Stanley Cup in 1998-99.

In nine seasons with the Sabres, Hašek had a record of 234-170-70, a goals-against average of 2.29 and a save percentage of .924. He holds over 25 franchise records, including most all-time games played, wins, shutouts and lowest goals against average. He also holds the Sabres' record for most shutouts in a single season with 13 in 1997-98 as well as lowest goals against average in a single season (1.87) in 1998-99.

Calgary Flames

When: November 25th, 1981; February 1st, 1986

To Calgary: Lanny McDonald, Joe Mullen Terry Johnson and Rik Wilson

To Colorado Rockies: Don Lever and Bob McMillian

To St. Louis: Eddie Beers, Charlie Bourgeois and Gino Cavallini.

Significance: McDonald and Mullen were the backbone in helping Calgary win their only Stanley Cup in franchise history. In 492 career games with Calgary, McDonald had 215 goals and 406 points. In the playoffs, McDonald played in 72 games with 24 goals and 47 points.

Mullen was a first-team All-Star in 1989, which was the year he helped Calgary win the Stanley Cup. In four and a half seasons (345 games) with Calgary, Mullen scored 190 goals and 388 points. Mullen also played in 61 playoff games with Calgary, scoring 35 goals and 55 points.

Carolina Hurricanes

When: January 23rd, 2000

To Carolina: Rod Brind'Amour and Jean-Marc Pelletier

To Philadelphia: Keith Primeau

Significance:  Brind'Amour brought experience and leadership to a team in need and helped the Hurricanes advance to their first Stanley Cup finals in 2002. Four years later and at this point team Captain, he led the Hurricanes to their first ever Stanley Cup. In 2006 and 2007 he was the recipient of the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward and collected 174 goals and 473 points. In 72 playoff games with the Hurricanes, Brind'Amour scored 18 goals and 38 points.

Chicago Blackhawks

When: December 5th, 2005

To Chicago: Patrick Sharp and Eric Meloche

To Philadelphia: Matt Ellison and a third round draft pick

Significance: Sharp brought a leadership mentality to a young Chicago team and was an integral part in Chicago's Stanley Cup-winning team in 2010. Sharp has scored 150 goals and 301 points in 427 career games. In the 2010 playoffs, Sharp has 21 goals and 38 points in 46 games.

Colorado Avalanche

When: December 6, 1995; June 30, 1992; March 6, 2000; February 21, 2001

To Colorado: Patrick Roy, Mike Keane, Peter Forsberg (Lindros trade), Ray Bourque and Rob Blake

To Montreal: Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Ručínský, Andrei Kovalenko

To Philadelphia: Eric Lindros

To Boston: Brian Rolston, Martin Grenier, Samuel Påhlsson and a first round draft pick.

To Los Angeles: Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin and a 1st round pick

Significance:  All five players were the driving force in Colorado winning their two Stanley Cups in franchise history. Roy would go on to be arguably the best goalie while Forsberg won a Hart Trophy. Keane was the Captain in Montreal and brought valuable experience to the team. Bourque finally won a Stanley Cup in 2001 and Blake was the missing piece.

Columbus Blue Jackets

When: June 30th, 2011

To Columbus: Jeff Carter

To Philadelphia: Jakub Voracek, a 2011 first-round pick and a 2011 third-round pick

Significance: The Blue Jackets have not been big players in the trade market since their inception in the league. With a need now to try and push for playoff success, the Blue Jackets made a surprise move in trading for Carter to help shoulder the load with star Rick Nash. This also helped the club sign James Wisniewski in free agency as the top UFA in 2011.

Dallas Stars

When: December 19th, 1995; June 22nd, 1996

To Dallas: Sergei Zubov, Joe Nieuwendyk

To Pittsburgh: Kevin Hatcher

To Calgary: Jarome Iginla

Significance:  Zubov brought experience to Dallas after winning a Stanley Cup with New York and was the leader of the defence in Dallas' Stanley Cup win in 1999. His only three All-Star appearances came in a Stars uniform and he played in 839 games while scoring 11 goals, 438 assists for 549 points. He was named a second team All-Star in 2006 and was a Norris Trophy finalist as well.

Nieuwendyk brought with him a Stanley Cup in 1989 with Calgary and was the Conn Smythe winner when Dallas won their lone Stanley Cup. Nieuwendyk played in 442 games with Dallas and scored 178 goals and 340 points. In 61 playoff games, he scored 25 goals and 40 points and won the 1999 Conn Smythe Trophy.

Detroit Red Wings

When: October 9th, 1996; March 19th, 1997

To Detroit: Brendan Shanahan, Brian Glynn and Larry Murphy

To Hartford: Paul Coffey Keith Primeau and a first-round draft pick

To Toronto: Future Considerations

Significance: Both players were acquired in the same season and both brought Detroit their first Stanley Cup since 1955. In the 1998 playoffs, Murphy tied Coffey's record of shorthanded goals by a defenceman with two. Both played vital roles in winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and Shanahan went on to win his third in 2002. Murphy played 379 total games with the Red Wings (regular season and postseason) and scored 205 points. Meanwhile, Shanahan played in 716 regular season games scoring 309 goals and 633 points, and in the playoffs he played in 106 playoff games with Detroit, scoring 33 goals and 74 points.

Edmonton Oilers

When: November 2nd 1978

To Edmonton (WHA): Wayne Gretzky, Eddie Mio and Peter Driscoll

To Indianapolis (WHA): $700,000 and future considerations

Significance:  A year later, Edmonton would move into the NHL from the WHA and Gretzky would be retained. The rest is history for the Oilers.

Florida Panthers

When: June 24th, 2000

To Florida: Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen

To New York Islanders: Mark Parish and Oleg Kvasha

Significance: Jokinen and Luongo would be the face the franchise with little -to-no help from their teammates. Jokinen holds the Panthers record for goals, points and consecutive games played. He broke Pavel Bure's record for most points in a season with 91. He had 419 points in seven seasons with 188 goals.

On the other hand, Luongo holds the franchise record for wins in a season with 35 and overall with 108, and holds the record for most shots faced in a season 2,475 as well as saves made with 2,303. He was a finalist for the 2003-04 Vezina Trophy and Lester B Pearson. He also holds the record for shutout minutes (144:51 minutes), all-time shutouts (26), and games played (316).

Los Angeles Kings

When: June 23rd, 1975; August 8th, 1988

To Los Angeles: Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski

To Detroit: Terry Harper, Dan Maloney, and a second-round pick

To Edmonton: Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993

Significance: Dionne was the Kings first superstar, playing 12 seasons and scoring 550 goals and 1307 points. He leads the Kings franchise in points and is second in goals. He also led the Kings to the postseason eight times during his 12-year career there.

Shaking up the hockey world and making it more popular in the United States, Gretzky did that especially with the Kings. He helped the Kings reach their first Stanley Cup and surpassed Gordie Howe's all-time scoring record in 1993-1994. In eight seasons with the Kings, Gretzky scored 246 goals and 918 points.

Minnesota Wild

When: June 24th, 2006

To Minnesota: Pavol Demitra

To Los Angeles: Patrick O'Sullivan and a first-round pick

Significance:  Minnesota have never been big spenders or traders until this past offseason when they acquired Devon Setoguchi and Dany Heatley. Before that, the Wild made the push and traded for Pavol Demitra who in two seasons scored 40 goals and 118 points. In the playoffs, he only had two goals and six points. This gamble never fully paid off but in a defensive-minded team scoring over 50 points is an achievement.

Montreal Canadiens

When: May 22, 1970

To Montreal: The 1971 first overall pick

To California: 1970 first-round pick and Ernie Hicke

Significance: The first overall pick turned out to be Guy LaFleur and the rest is history, as he won five Stanley Cups with Montreal. He also went on to be be Montreal's all-time leading scorer with 1,246 points (518 goals and 728 assists) in 14 seasons and set the franchise record for points in a season with 136 in 1976-77. He won three Art Ross Trophies (1976, 1977, 1978), two Hart Trophies (1977, 1978), three Lester B. Pearson Awards (1976, 1977, 1978), and one Conn Smythe Trophy (1977). 

Nashville Predators

When: February 15th, 2007

To Nashville: Peter Forsberg

To Philadelphia: Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, first-round pick and a third-round pick

Significance: This is the biggest trade in Nashville's history in hopes of advancing deep into the playoffs. In 17 regular season games, Forsberg had two goals and 13 assists. In five playoff games, he recorded two goals and two assists as the Predators were eliminated by the Sharks.

New Jersey Devils

When: March 14, 2000; March 19, 2002

To New Jersey: Alexander Mogilny, Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner

To Vancouver: Brendon Morrison and Denis Pederson

To Dallas: Jason Arnott, Randy Mckay and a first-round pick

Significance: The Devils went on to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history after acquiring Mogilny and returned the year after as well. In 87 games, Mogilny scored 46 goals and 89 points. In the playoffs he played in 48 games, recording 23 points (nine goals and 14 assists). With his Stanley Cup Mogilny became a member of the Triple Gold Club.

After Mogilny left, the Devils brought in Nieuwendyk and Langenbrunner and won the Stanley Cup in 2003. Nieuwendyk only played in 94 games but brought his leadership and two Stanley Cup rings (19 goals and 56 points, and in the playoffs, three goals 10 points). Langenbrunner would go on to play nine seasons in New Jersey, including five as Captain. He scored 142 goals and 385 points. He led all playoff scorers in 2003 with 11 goals and 18 points and led New Jersey to their third Stanley Cup.

New York Islanders

When: March 12th, 1980

To New York Islanders: Butch Goring

To Los Angeles Kings: Dave Lewis and Billy Harris

Significance: The Islanders were missing one final piece and Goring turned out to be it. After he was traded for, the team went on to win four straight Stanley Cups. Goring had 28 goals and 68 points in 99 career playoff games with the Islanders and in the regular season played in 332 games, scoring 87 goals and 195 points. He holds the record for fewest penalty minutes with over 1000 games played. Goring was awarded the 1981 Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 20 games played.

New York Rangers

When: October 4th, 1991

To New York Rangers: Mark Messier

To Boston: Louie DeBrusk, Bernie Nicholls, and Steven Rice

Significance: The Rangers had not won a Stanley Cup since 1940 and had only made the Finals twice since than (1972 and 1979). Messier had won five Stanley Cups in Edmonton and brought his leadership to New York, leading them to a Stanley Cup in 1994. Messier played 421 games with the Rangers, during which time he scored 183 goals and 518 points. He also led New York in 59 playoff games, scoring 22 goals and 66 points. 

Ottawa Senators

When: June 23rd, 2001

To Ottawa: Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and a draft pick (Jason Spezza)

To New York Islanders: Alexei Yashin

Significance: In a string of head-scratching moves by Islanders general manager Mike Milbury, the Senators gained two valuable pieces as they rebuilt to become one of the top teams in the east. Chara was a first-team All-Star in 2004 and a Norris Trophy finalist. He played in 299 games, scoring 51 goals and 146 points.

Meanwhile, Spezza has been one of the faces of the franchise since he made the jump to the NHL and helped lead the Senators to their first Stanley Cup finals. He also holds the franchise record for assists in a season with 71. Spezza has played 526 games in Ottawa thus far scoring 191 goals and 340 assists for 542 points.

Philadelphia Flyers

When: June 30th, 1992

To Philadelphia: Eric Lindros

To Quebec: Peter Forsberg, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Chris Simon, Jocelyn Thibault, 1994 first-round pick and $15 million.

Significance:  This trade greatly helped the soon-to-be Avalanche become a powerhouse but it also helped the Flyers. Lindros would go on to win Hart and Lester B. Pearson awards in 1995 and led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996. Lindros played in 486 games in Philadelphia, scoring 290 goals and 659 points.

Phoenix Coyotes

When: August 16th, 1996

To Phoenix: Jeremy Roenick

To Chicago: Alexei Zhamnov and Craig Mills

Significance: Roenick helped lead the Coyotes to four straight playoff years after moving from Winnipeg. Roenick scored 141 goals in his tenure and 351 points. In 18 playoff games, he scored nine goals and 18 points. He made two All-Star games while in Phoenix as well.

Pittsburgh Penguins

When: June 16, 1990; March 4, 1991

To Pittsburgh: Joe Mullen, Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings

To Calgary: Second-round pick

To Hartford: Jeff Parker, Zarley Zalapski, and John Cullen

Significance: An already deep Penguins team got even deeper with the acquisitions of Mullen and Francis. Mullen had previously won a Stanley Cup with the Flames and scored 145 goals and 303 points in five seasons. More importantly, in 61 playoff games, Mullen scored 16 goals and 31 points, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Aside from winning the Stanley Cup twice, Francis won the Selke Trophy in 1995 as well as the Lady Byng Trophy during his seven-year tenure. He scored 164 goals and 613 points. In 97 playoffs games Francis scored 32 goals and 100 points.

San Jose Sharks

When: November 30th, 2005

To San Jose: Joe Thornton

To Boston: Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart

Significance: After falling out of favour in Boston, Thornton made an immediate impact in San Jose. In 58 games with the Sharks he had 98 points and finished the season with 29 goals and 125 points while leading the league with 96 assists. This earned him the Art Ross Trophy and later the Hart Trophy. In six seasons thus far, Thornton has scored 137 goals and 557 points. Thornton has led San Jose in back-to-back Western Conference Finals in the past two seasons.

St. Louis Blues

When: March 7th, 1988; July 27th, 1995

To St. Louis: Brett Hull

To Calgary: Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley

To Hartford: Brendan Shanahan

Significance: Hull set a record for right wingers with 86 goals in the 1990-91 season and developed as a prolific scorer to give St. Louis a superstar. Hull won the Hart Trophy in the same year. In 11 seasons in St. Louis, Hull scored 527 goals and 939 points. He also played in 100 playoff games and scored 67 goals and 117 points.

Pronger revitalized the Blues, leading them to the Presidents Trophy in 1999-2000. He also won a Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy in the same season. Pronger was Captain in seven of his nine seasons in St. Louis and had 84 goals and 356 points. Pronger also helped St. Louis reach the playoffs every year he was there.

Tampa Bay Lightning

When: March 5th, 2001

To Tampa Bay: Nikolai Khabibulin

To Phoenix: Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin and a second-round pick

Significance: A young team needed a veteran presence, and more importantly, a veteran presence in the net. In 2003, Khabibulin led Tampa Bay to their first postseason appearance since 1996 and in 2004 led them to win the franchise's only Stanley Cup. In three seasons he went 83-74-28 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.

Toronto Maple Leafs

When: November 4th, 1947

To Toronto: Max Bentley and Cy Thomas

To Chicago: Gus Bodnar, Bud Poile, Gaye Stewart, Ernie Dickens and Bob Goldham.

Significance: Bentley helped the Maple Leafs win three Stanley Cups after being traded for in 1948, 1949 and 1951. In six seasons, he scored 122 goals and 256 points. In 40 playoff games, Bentley scored 14 goals and 38 points. At the time it put Toronto ahead of Montreal for most Stanley Cups. It stayed that way for a decade.

Vancouver Canucks

When: March 20th, 1996; June 23rd, 2006

To Vancouver: Markus Naslund, Roberto Luongo

To Pittsburgh: Alex Stojanov

To Florida: Todd Bertuzzi, defenceman Bryan Allen and Alex Auld

Significance: The Canucks were a shell of their former selves after their 1994 playoff run and needed a scorer to ignite the team. Markus Naslund later went on to win the Lester B. Pearson Trophy and scored 346 goals and 756 points in 12 seasons. He led the Canucks to their first Northwest Division title and to the playoffs five times.

Luongo continued what Nalsund had started, leading the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals this past year. In his first season with the Canucks, he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy, Lester B. Pearson and Hart Trophy. In five seasons with the Canucks, he has gone 193-101 with a 2.34 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. Luongo also won the Jennings Award for the lowest team goals against average.

Washington Capitals

When: July 11th, 2001

To Washington: Jaromir Jagr

To Pittsburgh: Kris Beech, Michal Sivek and Ross Lupaschuk 

Significance: Jagr was still one of the premier players in the game and gave the Capitals new hope. He did not live up to expectations, but he still scored 83 goals and 201 points in 190 games while leading the team in scoring during his two full seasons.

Winnipeg Jets

When: November 15th, 2002

To Atlanta: Marc Savard

To Calgary: Ruslan Zainullin

Significance: Savard helped center the Thrashers top line with Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk becoming point-per-game types of players. In 184 games with Atlanta, Savard scored 63 goals, 133 assists and 196 points. In 2005-06, Savard finished ninth in league scoring with 97 points.