New York Rangers: The ten worst trades in franchise history

#2- Mattias Norstrom, Ray Ferraro, Ian Laperriere, Nathan Lafayette and 1997 4th round draft pick traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley and Shane Churla

March 14, 1996

The trade that ranks second worst in New York Rangers’ history was made in an attempt to rekindle the glory days of the Edmonton Oilers.

To bolster the team for the playoffs and to compliment Mark Messier, the Rangers dealt for two former Oilers in Jari Kurri and Marty McSorley. While the strategy worked in 1994, in 1996 it was an absolute failure.

Jari Kurri was one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, notching 474 goals as Wayne Gretzky’s right winger. Kurri played all of 14 regular season games with New York though he did play well in the 1996 playoffs. His Rangers career ended when he signed with Anaheim after the season.

Marty McSorley was known more as Gretzky’s defender than for his hockey skills. He played nine regular season games for the Rangers before being traded to San Jose. Shane Churla ended up being the most productive player received in the trade, actually playing 45 games for the Rangers the following season, scoring one goal. In this trade the Rangers got 78 regular season games, one goal and seven assists.

For that meager productivity, the Rangers gave up an awful lot. Defenseman Mattias Norstrom had been a second round draft pick in 1992 and oozed potential. He lived up to it as he played the next 11 seasons as a defensive stalwart for the Kings before finishing his career in Dallas.

Right winger Ian Laperriere had been acquired from St. Louis earlier that season and he went on to play 13 more seasons in the NHL, eight with the Kings. Known as an agitator, his feisty style made him a fan favorite.

Nathan Lafayette had a less than memorable NHL career, but did play parts of three seasons in Los Angeles.

Perhaps the most painful part of this deal was the inclusion of Ray Ferraro. Ferraro was a veteran center who had signed with the Rangers as a free agent after five years as an Islander. He wanted  to play for the Rangers and had signed a three year deal. He was reportedly devastated by the trade, but he did report to Los Angeles and played three seasons there before finishing his career in Atlanta and St. Louis.

If Mattias Norstrom had been the only player traded to Los Angeles, the deal would still make the top ten list. Throw in Laperriere and Ferraro and it is one of the worst ever.