Worst Trades in Red Wings History
T
The Hockey Writers
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The Detroit Red Wings have made their share of trades throughout their storied history, and not all of them have panned out as expected. Among the worst deals was the acquisition of Paul Coffey from the Edmonton Oilers. While Coffey was a Hall of Fame defenseman, the trade cost the Red Wings key assets, including forward Adam Oates, who would go on to become one of the NHL's most skilled playmakers. This move has often been marked as a miscalculation in the franchise's history.
Another notable trade involved trading away a young Igor Larionov. The Red Wings' decision to part with Larionov during his prime years, only to see him excel and become a central piece in the success of rival teams, emphasized their struggle with talent management in the '90s. Larionov's playmaking ability and leadership were missed during the years following the trade.
Additionally, the deal involving trade of Brendan Shanahan stands out, particularly as the player went on to lead the New Jersey Devils to multiple championships after leaving Detroit. His impactful scoring and presence on the ice highlighted the Red Wings' failure in recognizing his worth at the time. These trades remain discussed today as learning moments in the Red Wings' franchise story, illustrating the importance of retaining homegrown talent which could have shaped different outcomes.
Overall, the Red Wings' history is filled with highs and lows, but the lessons from these trades continue to echo within the organization. As they rebuild, the franchise aims to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure their roster features players who contribute both on and off the ice.
Another notable trade involved trading away a young Igor Larionov. The Red Wings' decision to part with Larionov during his prime years, only to see him excel and become a central piece in the success of rival teams, emphasized their struggle with talent management in the '90s. Larionov's playmaking ability and leadership were missed during the years following the trade.
Additionally, the deal involving trade of Brendan Shanahan stands out, particularly as the player went on to lead the New Jersey Devils to multiple championships after leaving Detroit. His impactful scoring and presence on the ice highlighted the Red Wings' failure in recognizing his worth at the time. These trades remain discussed today as learning moments in the Red Wings' franchise story, illustrating the importance of retaining homegrown talent which could have shaped different outcomes.
Overall, the Red Wings' history is filled with highs and lows, but the lessons from these trades continue to echo within the organization. As they rebuild, the franchise aims to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure their roster features players who contribute both on and off the ice.