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The 10 best trades in the history of the New York Rangers

By Steve Paulus

Canadian professional hockey player Mark Messier of the New York Rangers hoists the Stanley Cup championship award trophy over his head as teammates American Brian Noonan (#16) and Canadian Glenn Healy (#30) look on during the opening night of the 1995 NHL season, Madison Square Garden, New York, January 20, 1995. The 1994-95 Season was shortened to the 1995 Season because of a lockout in Fall 1994. The Rangers opening game was against the Buffalo Sabres and they lost 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian professional hockey player Mark Messier of the New York Rangers hoists the Stanley Cup championship award trophy over his head as teammates American Brian Noonan (#16) and Canadian Glenn Healy (#30) look on during the opening night of the 1995 NHL season, Madison Square Garden, New York, January 20, 1995. The 1994-95 Season was shortened to the 1995 Season because of a lockout in Fall 1994. The Rangers opening game was against the Buffalo Sabres and they lost 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 20: Ryan McDonagh
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 20: Ryan McDonagh /

#2 Ryan McDonagh, Chris Higgins and Pavel Valentenko acquired from Montreal for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Michael Busto

June 30, 2009

There should have been “Wanted Posters” with Glen Sather’s picture on it in every post office after this deal.  Not only did Sather get an all-star defenseman in Ryan McDonagh, he also got rid of the onerous contract he had given to Scott Gomez two years earlier. This deal shaped the Rangers as a perennial playoff team and got them to the Stanley Cup FInals in 2014.

McDonagh had been Montreal’s first round pick (12th overall) in the 2007 Entry Draft. After two seasons at the University of Wisconsin the Canadiens inexplicably thought he wasn’t living up to his potential and were willing to include him in this deal. At the time, the deal was seen as a salary dump by New York and Chris Higgins was the key acquisition by the Rangers. Look at the description from NHL.com at the time:

"“The Rangers sent Scott Gomez and his hefty contract that still has five years and more than $30 million left on it to Montreal in exchange for Long Island, N.Y. native Chris Higgins, who is a restricted free agent, but is likely to sign with the Rangers. Montreal also sent the Rangers 2007 first-round draft pick Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko to New York while the Rangers gave up Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto”"

Scott Gomez played three seasons for Montreal, never topping 12 goals. Tom Pyatt was a marginal NHLer and Busto never made it to the big leagues.

Valentenko also never made an NHL roster.

Chris Higgins was a useful forward for seven more years in the league, but was only a Ranger for a few months. He was dealt to the Rangers to Calgary in exchange for Brandon Prust.

As for McDonagh, there’s no need to go into detail about his exploits as the Rangers’ top defenseman. He spent eight years in New York and was an All-Star and team captain.

Although he never achieved his ultimate goal as a Ranger, this trade has to go down as one of the most one-sided deals in the team’s history. A fascinating post script will be written if Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, Vlad Namestnikov, Nils Lundkvist or the 2019 first rounder acquired from Tampa this spring develop into top NHL players.

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