The New York Rangers' history is filled with moments of triumph and near misses, but the specter of Joe Sakic continues to linger as a painful reminder of missed opportunities. While Sakic himself didn't inflict much on-ice damage against the Rangers, a closer look reveals unfortunate intersections that highlight what could have been for the Blueshirts.
One of the most glaring instances occurred during the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. Sakic, who had recorded an impressive 293 points in 136 games over two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, was surprisingly passed over by several teams. Drafting tenth overall, the Rangers selected Jayson More, a defenseman who played a mere 15 games for the team, recording one assist. Sakic, on the other hand, was picked 15th overall by the Quebec Nordiques. He debuted in the 1988-89 season and began his career with 62 points in 70 games. Over the next five seasons, he would total 102, 109, 94, 105 and 94 points.
Although the Rangers were not the only team to misjudge Sakic's potential, the selection of More remains a particularly sore point for the Rangers faithful. Passing on Sakic is considered one of the Rangers' greatest draft failures, though not as devastating as passing on Mike Bossy twice in 1977.
Ten years later, in the 1997 offseason, the Rangers had another chance to acquire Sakic. After losing their captain, Mark Messier, to free agency, the Rangers targeted Sakic, then a restricted free agent with the Colorado Avalanche. General Manager Neil Smith signed Sakic to a three-year, $21 million offer sheet, a stunning move at the time. The contract was structured with a "poison pill" provision, featuring a $15 million signing bonus, intending to pressure the Avalanche, who were facing financial difficulties, into letting Sakic go.
Ascent Entertainment, the Avalanche's parent company, was indeed struggling financially, having lost $8 million in the 1996-97 season. The team was also playing in an outdated arena, further limiting their revenue. It appeared that Sakic was destined for Broadway.
However, fate intervened in the form of a Hollywood blockbuster. Ascent Entertainment held a stake in the movie "Air Force One," starring Harrison Ford, which was released in July 1997. The film became a massive success, grossing $315.1 million worldwide. This unexpected windfall gave Ascent the financial confidence to match the Rangers' offer and retain Sakic.
Sakic remained with the Avalanche for his entire 21-year career, winning a second Stanley Cup in 2001. He later became the team's general manager and president, leading them to another championship in 2022.
The Rangers, meanwhile, missed the playoffs for several years after failing to acquire Sakic. Instead of Sakic, the Rangers traded for Buffalo Sabres center Pat LaFontaine.
Even years later, Sakic's impact on the Rangers was felt. As the Avalanche's executive vice president of hockey operations, Sakic orchestrated a trade with the Rangers on February 26, 2018, acquiring Ryan Graves for Chris Bigras. Graves became a valuable defenseman for the Avalanche, while Bigras failed to make a significant impact in the NHL.
While Joe Sakic never wore a Rangers jersey, his career remains intertwined with the team's history. The missed draft pick, the failed offer sheet, and even a seemingly minor trade years later serve as constant reminders of what could have been.
