Exploring the Worst Trades in NHL History Over the Past Five Years
Trades are among the most thrilling aspects of the NHL, offering teams a chance to reshape their rosters and fans a spark of excitement. Yet, for every blockbuster deal or success story, there’s a misstep—a trade that leaves fans scratching their heads or outright furious. Today, we delve into some of the most questionable trades each NHL team has made in the last five years. These trades still influence teams today, highlighting the delicate balance between risk and reward in the hockey world.
Anaheim Ducks: A Minor Misstep
In February 2020, the Ducks traded Daniel Sprong to the Washington Capitals for Christian Djoos. While Sprong showed flashes of promise, his contributions were minimal, bouncing between teams before signing a one-year deal with Vancouver. Meanwhile, Djoos played just nine games with Anaheim before heading to Europe. While far from disastrous, this trade didn’t provide the Ducks with lasting value.
Boston Bruins: A Costly Goaltending Gamble
The Bruins sent star goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators for Jonas Korpisalo (25% salary retained), a grinder, and a 2024 first-round pick. Boston’s gamble backfired as Korpisalo underperformed, and Ullmark became a solid addition for Ottawa. This trade underscored the Bruins’ struggles with leverage and foresight in managing their roster.
Buffalo Sabres: The Montour Trade
In April 2021, Buffalo shipped Brandon Montour to the Panthers for a third-round pick. Montour quickly became a key piece in Florida’s success, even contributing to their Stanley Cup win. In contrast, Buffalo’s return didn’t yield immediate benefits, leaving fans lamenting what could have been.
Calgary Flames: The Kachuk Blockbuster
Calgary’s trade of Matthew Tkachuk and a fourth-round pick to Florida for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and others marked a significant pivot. While Weegar has excelled, Huberdeau’s decline and Tkachuk’s game-changing impact in Florida made this trade a catalyst for Calgary’s rebuild.
Carolina Hurricanes: An Unfortunate Injury
The Hurricanes acquired Max Pacioretty and Dylan Coghlan from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for future considerations. However, Pacioretty played just five games before a torn Achilles ended his season. While not a true failure—Carolina paid little—the trade didn’t yield the anticipated results.
Chicago Blackhawks: Betting on Seth Jones
Chicago’s acquisition of Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets, coupled with an eight-year contract extension, has aged poorly. The trade included several draft picks that Columbus used to secure future talent. Jones’s underwhelming performance and hefty salary now weigh on Chicago.
These examples highlight how trades can reshape a franchise’s destiny, sometimes for the better and often for the worse. The delicate interplay of timing, negotiation, and vision means each trade carries the potential for both triumph and disaster. Stay tuned as we explore more examples from other teams, diving into the stories that continue to ripple across the NHL landscape.
