New York Rangers roundtable: Best trade of the Lundqvist era

Jack Milewski- The Jagr trade

The biggest trade of the Henrik Lundqvist era happened just before Lundqvist even became a household name in New York. In fact, it happened even before Lundqvist won the starting job.

Thanks to the NHL lockout in 2004-2005 we will still consider this trade as part of the Lundqvist era due to the fact that the player traded for barely played for New York before Lundqvist’s first season (it’s a stretch, we know, but deal with it).

That player is Jaromir Jagr.

The trade — which still amazes me to this day– was Anson Carter for Jagr, straight up. It was the Larsson for Hall trade of the time period, to give you perspective.

By sending Carter away, the Rangers got the second most influential Ranger of the last 15 years. The Rangers wouldn’t have had the success they had without Lundqvist, but Jagr is almost as important.

The Czech led an offensive resurgence in New York, posting impressive numbers in four straight years. He set the Rangers single season points and goals mark while almost topping the league in those categories that same year.

Jagr started to bring the Rangers back to prominence and by the time he left, New York was a playoff regular. The trade was an absolute steal, no matter what way you look at it.

Though Jagr didn’t stay on the Rangers incredibly long after the trade, without him, it may have taken years to rebuild the offense. Jagr, along with Martin Straka and Michael Nylander, did it almost over night.

King Henrik’s reign began in 2005-2006. As important as that year is to Rangers fans for that reason, it is equally important for what Jagr did. The transformation from bottom-dweller to contender began anew that season, thanks to Jaromir Jagr.