At first, this may seem like a very random subject to write about. However, when looking at this franchise and the players on the roster and in the system, I feel that this is a relevant subject to bring up now, more than ever.
After speaking with my friend and fellow writer Joe Alianello (who I also do a small radio show with called "Around the NHL" on Talkshoe) we happened to get on the tangent of bad trades in recent Rangers history. He brought something to my attention which at first didn't seem like much, but after a few moments of pondering I settled on the fact that this may be the worst trade Glen Sather has ever made.
When one looks at the recent trades that the Rangers have made, they may think that the Ozolinsh acquisition was the worst. Or, to go back a little further, the trade that sent Brian Leetch packing to Toronto.
But really, when you look at those two moves, neither of them would have any effect on the future of the team, even if it hurt them during that particular stretch in the season.
Instead, the worst trade of Glen Sather's career with the Rangers happened on Feb. 26, 2008, in a move that ended up sending two players one way and getting three in return.
- B/R Ticket Guide
In that trade, the Rangers sent Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Josh Gratton, David Leneveau, and Fredrik Sjostrom.
Before you call me crazy, let's just take a little time to think things over.
The Rangers traded away future superstar goaltender Al Montoya, who was the only major player in the deal since Marcel Hossa never amounted to anything except being "good along the boards."
Then what's the big deal?
Since you asked, let's create a little scenario that I pray to God never comes true. Let's just say the constant hip-flexor problems catch up to Lundqvist or that right knee that he has been getting cortisone shots in for the last three months finally blows out. Then what happens?
At first the deal looked very even, possibly even tilted in the Rangers' favor, because it was. That is, until Josh Gratton and David Leneveau walked after the season ended and the only player the Rangers got to keep was Fredrik Sjostrom, who they had to take to arbitration to work out a deal.
Not to take anything away from Sjostrom, but in the 18 games he played last season he scored two goals. And although he is talented, he is a player that will never score more than 20 goals in a season.
Getting back to goaltending, Leneveau could have been a solid backup goaltender had he stayed in the organization, and a goalie with much more skill than Steve Valiquette or Miika Wiikman. But if the deal never happens, and the aforementioned scenario came true, the Rangers would then call up former first round draft pick Al Montoya to fill the void.
But now what would happen? I love Valiquette; he is probably the classiest guy on the New York Rangers. But can we honestly expect him to carry this team through a season if Lundqvist were to go down? No.
How about Miika Wiikman? He looked very solid in camp, right? The answer is yes to looking good in camp, but no to being able to carry a team through a season.
In all honesty, the team would be screwed.
I'm not one to dwell on the past, but I just wanted to bring your attention to a trade that has been overlooked as nothing in the months since it happened.
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3 months ago
That's because it isn't really a big deal. Montoya never would have been more than a backup on the Rangers. What are the chances that he even approaches Lundy's skill? Nearly zero. Maybe the Rangers should have gotten more meat for Montoya, but he is unproven. If Sjostrom scores 20, that would be money.
Of course if Lundy goes down the Rangers are screwed. Most teams with a good goalie, if the goalie goes down, are screwed. That's the nature of goal-tending. Meanwhile, if we get 20 from a third line player, the Rangers will be three lines deep, something that is always necessary for a deep run into the playoffs.
The Leetch trade was sad, but it didnt bite the Rangers in the ass.
What about Kovalev for Nedved and co?
Weight for Tikanen (although how can you hate Esa?)
3 months ago
Montoya is definitely not a future superstar, and Hossa was just okay. It may have been a bad trade, but it surely wasn't the worse one he ever made.
3 months ago
this is a pretty bad trade, but is it the worst? im sure a Rangers fan such as youself can find one even wores then this(maybe,lol)
from 3 months ago
In Rangers history, no. In Glen Sather's tenure I think this is the worst. Is it horrible? No, but he hasn't made that many bad moves as a Ranger...
3 months ago
If Sjostrom was put in the top 6 and given a solid chance to show what he had... you'd change your mind. Last year in Phoenix he was playing with two other kids with tons of offensive upside, and helped bring the best out of them (Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata). Basically, the Rangers traded, at best, a career backup (no one's supplanting Henrik), for an energy guy/grinder with the potential to score what, 10 - 20 goals. Sather traded, at this point, nothing for something. You also forget that Montoya put up HORRIBLE numbers in Hartford, and Wiikman took his job away. Montoya was a first round pick, but so were tons of other players that did nothing (Stefan Cherneski and Jeff Brown, two Ranger picks in the last decade that made completely nothing of themselves, and were first rounders).
Honestly, worst trade for Sather might be Mike Dunham for Kloucek and Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky's gone on to have a quiet yet very, very solid career for Nashville, and now for Minnesota. Dunham was and will always be a TERRIBLE goaltender. How about the Lindros deal? Kim Johnsson was a top 3 defenseman at that time.
By the way, Marcel Hossa SUCKED, and any way to get rid of him was a good thing.
from 3 months ago
1. Montoya had very good numbers in his first year. It was only after an injury did his numbers slide.
2. The Mike Dunham trade was absolutely necessary at the time because of Richter's injury and Blackburn's inability to hold the starting role.
3. Kim Johnsson for Lindros was a very even deal and worked out great for us in his first season as he put up almost a point per game. Where is Johnsson now? A seventh defenseman on Minnesota and Pavel Brendl turned out to be a bust.
from 3 months ago
And Jan Hlavac who floundered after leaving, but was promising as a Ranger rookie. Still, Zidlicky for Dunham? Can we admit that Sather could have found a better goalie? I don't remember rosters in 2000, but i'll guarantee there were better options...
3 months ago
I appreciate the article, its well written and I see your point. I just don't agree on a couple points, namely that Al Montoya is a future superstar goaltender. Montoya hasn't accomplished anything since he was drafted sixth overall in 2004. Of course, goaltenders typically take longer to develop and find their niche in the NHL, so anything is possible. Montoya could very well go on to become a franchise goaltender for Phoenix. Its still too early to call that Sather's worst trade as the Rangers GM.
from 3 months ago
Montoya hasn't accomplished anything because he hasn't been given the chance. Of course I want Lundqvist to be the number one, but it would have been better to keep Montoya as an insurance policy in case of an injury, as goalies throughout Rangers history are known to have.
3 months ago
ummmm...Gartner for Andersson? not only ther worst trade ever, but the biggest slap in the face to a perfect gentleman
from 3 months ago
BTW...i am aware it was a Neil Smith deal
from 3 months ago
Anderson was a perfect gentleman?
from 3 months ago
It didn't affect us in the future and we won the Stanley Cup...
from 3 months ago
No, Gartner was the gentleman & was a large reason we got there and deserved to be part of that Cup team. Anderson brought nothing. But we did win. i didnt mean worst trade in the way it effected the team, but in my opinion, Gartner got shit on as bad as anyone could be.
from 3 months ago
Have you ever read the book "Losing the Edge: Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers"?
It explains how they wanted a team of battle tested veterans when playoff time came around and Gartner had never advanced past the first round before. When that time of year rolls around, skill doesn't win you championships, but grit and hard work does.
from 3 months ago
i understand what ur saying, but it seemed more like they wanted to bring as many oilers as they could. Dont forget that Gartner played for the Cap's & North Stars and hs numbers were near equal to Anderson's despite playing on much weaker teams. it wasnt as tho he didnt have playoff experience. i'm sorry i took this subject off on a tangent, and not trying to have a pissing contest. Just my feelings is that Mike Gartner (30 + goals in each of his 18 NHL seasons) would not have any negative effet on THAT team. and in all probablity, would have out-performed Anderson, who was still adjusting to team. Again, i'm just saying it bothered me and the man deserved better.
3 months ago
I think your opinion of Montoya is way too high. I'm not sure we'll ever see him in a full time roll in the NHL. He was a college goalie who was supposed to be near NHL ready when drafted. He could barely hold his own in Hartford. If the Rangers were forced to depend on him, they'd be in a heap of ____!
3 months ago
Montoya has had a good camp with the Coyotes and may steal the back up job from Mikael Tellqvist...could really turn into the worst but trading Rick Middleton was the worst as of right now. Mike Gartner being traded was horrible too.
3 months ago
come on " future superstar" is a little strong for a guy who was just sent back to the minors again, Montoya had sub average showings in the few games he did play with the Rangers I really think this is more of another case of wasted first round picks by the Rangers.
3 months ago
come on " future superstar" is a little strong for a guy who was just sent back to the minors again, Montoya had sub average showings in the few games he did play with the Rangers I really think this is more of another case of wasted first round picks by the Rangers.
3 months ago
come on " future superstar" is a little strong for a guy who was just sent back to the minors again, Montoya had sub average showings in the few games he did play with the Rangers I really think this is more of another case of wasted first round picks by the Rangers.
3 months ago
Don't even get me started on bad trades the Bruins made.
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