New York Rangers : Ten biggest trade deadline deals

Honorable mention – close but no cigar

During the early 1970’s the Rangers under Emile “The Cat” Francis were known as the best team that never won.  After years of languishing in the basement of the Original Six, Francis rebuilt the team with stars Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert, Brad Park and Ed Giacomin.  The team returned to playoff prominence and during those years Francis was always looking for a little extra toughness or a player to fill in due to injury.

In March of 1970, Francis knew he had to acquire some toughness to compete with the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Division.  He acquired 25-year-old hard hitting left winger Ted Irvine from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for center Juha Widing and forward Real Lemieux.

Irvine would become a fan favorite and solid offensive contributor over the next five seasons reaching the 20 goal plateau twice but also among the leaders in penalty minutes as an enforcer.  During the playoffs he chipped in with some clutch goals and with over 100 minutes in the box he was often called upon to stick up for his teammates.

The following year Francis made two deals with the Detroit Red Wings that added veteran defenseman Dale Rolfe in exchange for Jim Krulicki and forward Bruce MacGregor for defensemen Arnie Brown, Mike Robitaille and center Tom Miller.  Rolfe became a mainstay on the Rangers blue line over next five seasons appearing in 50 playoff games contributing 22 points.  MacGregor was a steady two way player with a knack for scoring timely goals and shutting down the NHL’s most prolific scorers.  His relentless shadowing of the great Yvan Cournoyer helped knock the Montreal Canadiens out twice in those years while forming a solid third line with Irvine and centerman Pete Stemkowski.

What trade list could be compiled without mentioning Trader Phil Esposito who would takeover as Rangers GM after the 1986 season.  Esposito completed more trades in his 3 years in New York than the Vancouver Canucks did during their entire decade.  In January 1987 Esposito had acquired former 50 goal scorer Bobby Carpenter in a controversial trade that only became more significant when he flipped Carpenter after 28 games and two goals along with defenseman Tom Laidlaw to the Los Angeles Kings for future hall of fame centerman Marcel Dionne.

Dionne stepped in and scored 10 points in 14 regular season games but added just two points in the playoffs as the Rangers were dispatched in six games by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.  Dionne wrapped up his brilliant NHL career playing 118 games as a Ranger scoring 44 goals and 98 points including career goal #700 during the 1987-88 season.

Let’s get into the top ten trade deadline deals.