The most under appreciated deal of Brian Burke’s career? The Sedin trades, he says

The year was 1999. The Vancouver Canucks were selected to pick third in the draft that year.

In Sweden, there were two teenage twins named Henrik and Daniel Sedin playing in the SHL with MoDo Hockey. The pair were inseparable and were two of the top prospects available in what was widely considered a weak draft class.

What came, in turn, was a series of wild trades concocted by Canucks GM Brian Burke to draft a pair of players who would forever alter the fortunes of the franchise.

To set it all off, Burke traded defenceman Bryan McCabe and their 2000 first-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth overall pick. Burke then paired the fourth overall pick and two third-round picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the 1st overall selection.

A deal was then made by Burke to trade the 1st overall pick to the Atlanta Thrashers in a deal for the 2nd overall pick with the assurance they would not take a Sedin. Atlanta took future draft bust Patrik Stefan first overall.

In turn, Burke got his wish — a pair of electric teen’s from the SHL. The pair, who spent their entire careers in Vancouver, retired after the 2017-18 season and had nearly identical stat lines the whole way through.

Daniel scored 393 goals, 648 assists, and 1041 points in 1306 games.

Henrik scored 240 goals, 830 assists, and 1070 points in 1330 games.

And in a Q&A on his Twitter held Thursday, Brian Burke said he felt the trades to land the pair was underappreciated at the time.

In hindsight, it’s hard to imagine the deals being underappreciated nowadays. Over their 17 year careers, the Sedin’s carried the club to 11 playoff appearances including a long trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011.

On Twitter: @zjlaing