Throughout their history, the New York Rangers have made some trades that fans would rather forget. These deals, intended to improve the team, instead set them back, costing them valuable players and future opportunities. Here's a look at five of the worst trades in Rangers history:
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Rick Middleton for Ken Hodge (1976): On May 26, 1976, General Manager John Ferguson made his first big move, trading young winger Rick Middleton to the Boston Bruins for veteran forward Ken Hodge. The goal was to reunite Hodge with Phil Esposito, who had come to the Rangers in a major trade earlier. While Hodge had a decent season, scoring 21 goals and 62 points, he didn't return Esposito to his previous high-scoring form. Middleton, on the other hand, became a star in Boston, with his number eventually retired by the Bruins. This trade is considered a gold standard for bad trades by the Rangers.
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Sergei Zubov and Petr Nedved for Luc Robitaille and Ulf Samuelsson (1995): In August 1995, the Rangers traded defenseman Sergei Zubov and center Petr Nedved to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Luc Robitaille and Ulf Samuelsson. Zubov had been a key player in the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup victory, leading the team in scoring. While Samuelsson provided a physical presence on defense for nearly four seasons, he didn't match Zubov's value. Robitaille was later traded, and Zubov went on to have a Hall of Fame career.
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Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa Bay Lightning (2018): At the 2018 trade deadline, the Rangers sent captain Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return, they received Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, a 2018 first-round pick, and a 2019 second-round pick. While the Rangers hoped these pieces would become key contributors, none of them reached their potential in New York. McDonagh, meanwhile, continued to be a top defenseman in the league.
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Mike Ridley, Kelly Miller, and Bob Crawford for Bob Carpenter (1986): In January 1986, the Rangers traded Mike Ridley, Kelly Miller, and Bob Crawford to the Washington Capitals for Bob Carpenter. The Rangers hoped Carpenter would become an elite scorer, but his best days were behind him. Ridley and Miller went on to have productive careers with the Capitals, making this trade a lopsided loss for the Rangers.
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Marc Savard for Jan Hlavac (1999): On June 26, 1999, the Rangers traded Marc Savard to the Calgary Flames for Jan Hlavac, a first-round pick, and a third-round pick. Savard was a promising young player, but the Rangers felt he wasn't a good fit. Hlavac had some success in New York, but Savard became a star in the NHL, making the Rangers regret this deal.
These trades serve as reminders of the risks involved in making deals and the importance of evaluating talent correctly. While every team makes mistakes, these trades have had a lasting impact on the Rangers and their fans.
