In case you missed the news on Wednesday, the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off one of the most beautiful and rare things in hockey: a one-for-one trade. Both players young and satisfied each teams need. Nashville gets their number one centre, while the Blue Jackets get their blue liner of the future. For now, we’re left with hypotheticals as to the long-term implications for the future of both teams.
Less hypothetical would be a retrospective look at some of the most influential trades in Canucks history, of this variety. Same paved the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, whole another provided this franchise with one of its brightest superstars in its history. Yan Stastny for Pierre-Cedric Labrie didn’t make the cut, but let’s dive into who did.
#4 Dave Babych for Tom Kurvers
Before The Trade:
Tom Kurvers was fresh off a couple years in Toronto, where he’s most notable for ruining Leafs fans lives by depriving them of such prospects as Eric Lindros or Scott Niedermayer. Level-headed Leafs fans never blamed Kurver for this. Oh, wait a second… they did. He only spent 32 games of the 1990-91 with the Canucks, as he was acquired by January of that season from the Leafs.
Dave Babych was a top defenceman for the Jets and Whalers at the height of his career. Though injuries limited his effectiveness towards the end in Hartford, a top defender Babych remained. During Babych’s time in Winnipeg, he enjoyed a successful stint with Norris trophy winner Randy Carlyle; one which propelled the team to winning their first playoff series in 1985. Babych was left exposed for the expansion draft, and the Minnesota North Stars claimed him and shipped him off to Vancouver on the same day.
After The Trade:
Kurvers was immediately dealt to the New York Islanders following the deal. Kurvers became a journeyman in the NHL, spending time with the Islanders and Mighty Ducks after the deal along with time in the AHL with the Islanders affiliate. Kurvers eventually ended his career in Japan.
Babych was on the back-nine of his career, leaving many to wonder what was left in the tank. Luckily for him, the Canucks didn’t put him in a position to be that guy. Instead, they just let him do his thing on the blue line and he became a fan favourite in Vancouver, mostly because of the incredible moustache. Babych spent seven seasons in Vancouver. Babych’s peak was scoring the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Rangers, completing the comeback from down 3-0.
#3 Tony Tanti for Curt Fraser
Before The Trade:
Tony Tanti only played one game for the Chicago Blackhawks before being shown the door. Prior to Chicago drafting him 12th in the 1981 Draft, Tanti enjoyed a productive junior career, where he even knocked off Wayne Gretzky’s junior goal record as a member of the Oshawa Generals.
Fraser was drafted in 1978 by the Canucks and was successful right off the bat with fellow rookies Thomas Gradin and Stan Smyl – the height of their success including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1982.
After The Trade:
Tanti was immediately successful as a member of the Canucks, shining in the high leverage role afforded him in his new locale. Tanti’s rookie season saw him post 16 points and it was all uphill from there. During Tanti’s first full season with the Canucks, he was awarded an All-Star appearance which he couldn’t make good on due to injury. Tanti led the Canucks in goal scoring for five years, one of which he broke Darcy Rota’s previous franchise high 42 in a season with 45 of his own. Tanti was awarded the most exciting player distinction five times, was the team’s leading scorer twice and took home Team MVP once. Once in decline, the Canucks dealt Tanti to the Penguins in 1988-89.
Curt Fraser, who turned into more of a bruiser, held respectable numbers as a member of the Blackhawks, including a 68 point campaign in 1985-86. After five seasons in Chicago, he was sent to Minnesota but suffered from injuries for most of his tenure there, retiring in 1990.
#2 Sami Salo for Peter Schaefer
Before The Trade:
Peter Schaefer had spent three seasons in Vancouver, after spending a large amount of time with their affiliate in the AHL, the Syracuse Crunch. He was a roster player for the Canucks, during the lean years between 1998-2001. However, the year before his deal he spent overseas with TPS in SM-liiga.
Sami Salo was named to the All-Rookie Team during his first year with the Senators in 1998-99. However – and this may surprise you – Salo was riddled with injuries for the next two seasons suffering from numerous lower body injuries, and a concussion.
After The Trade:
Peter Schaefer spent four years in Ottawa, and though he enjoyed some minor offensive success he never quite found his potential, although some might argue this was due in large to a lack of opportunities. Schaeffer did notch 50 points in one season (2005-06) and helped the Senators reach the 2007 finals. He eventually asked for a deal, and was traded to Boston where he went from playing on the top line to playing in the minors. He was released by Boston, eventually tried-out with the Canucks and played one month with the team in the 2010-11 season, before he was released.
Sami Salo became a household name in Vancouver, and though he continued to be riddled with injuries, he soon became a fan favourite in the city, and continues to be so to this day. He immediately became a top-four defenceman upon his trade to Vancouver, and he became a driving force through his tenure with the team. He was an influential part of the Canucks return to the Cup Finals in 2011, and he was a solid mentor to young players like Chris Tanev and Alexander Edler.
#1 Markus Naslund for Alek Stojanov
Before The Trade:
Alek Stojanov was taken just the one pick after Peter Forsberg in the 1991 NHL Draft. Stojanov was a tough fella, who’s reputation and stock were only boosted by the beat down he lead on future first overall pick, Eric Lindros, in the OHL.
Upon jumping to the professional ranks, Stojanov was sent to Vancouver’s affiliate in Hamilton. During Stojanov’s stay in Hamilton, a nasty shoulder injury derailed what little offensive flair was present in his game. Stojanov eventually turned into an enforcer of sorts, before the Canucks gave up on him entirely.
Markus Naslund on the other hand was signed away from Modo of the SHL in 1993. The Penguins held Naslund’s rights, as they’d drafted him in 1991. Naslund wasn’t given many opportunities to shine in Pittsburgh, as he was demoted to the IHL on multiple occasions. Naslund made the club as a full-timer in 1995-96, showcasing his high level of offensive skill. Naslund played big minutes, but his production tailed off near the end of the season, prompting trade rumours which carried into next season.
After The Trade:
The Naslund trade is widely regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in NHL history. Stojanov was with Pittsburgh for 35 games and left the NHL for good thereafter. Stojanov spent four more years in the minors, and didn’t claw his way back to the big leagues.
Naslund would go on to spend 12 seasons in Vancouver, playing 884 games, with 756 points during that span. Naslund still sits 3rd all-time in Canucks scoring behind the Sedin Twins, served as team captain from 2000-2008 and formed one part of the West Coast Express – one of the greatest NHL lines in league history. Naslund won numerous team awards, and the Lester B. Pearson award in 2002-03, awarded by the players to the MVP of the league.
Naslund was never able to bring playoff success to Vancouver, due to injuries, inconsistent goaltending or other circumstances. Naslund left the team in 2008, then the team leader in goals and points. He spent a year in New York with the Rangers before retiring. Naslund also ranks top five in scoring by Swedish players. Naslund’s number was retired by the Canucks in 2010.
