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NHL Trade Deadline: Ranking every team’s worst ever trade

By David Rouben

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 3: Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings in action against the Edmonton Oilers at the Arco Arena on April 3, 1994 in Sacramento, California. The Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 3: Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings in action against the Edmonton Oilers at the Arco Arena on April 3, 1994 in Sacramento, California. The Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) /
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Feb 7, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) shoots on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) shoots on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

17: San Jose Sharks

Would you believe that the Sharks could’ve had Max Pacioretty? Even if they had held on to their first-round pick, there was a good chance of landing him since he dropped to 22nd overall. It is deals such as these that make the Sharks one of the most futile franchises in the National Hockey League.

Trading a first-round pick is bad enough. Swapping a first-round pick for a fifth-round pick is even worse. So is swapping Josh Gorges with Craig Rivet for that matter. Credit the Sharks for finding Jason Demers in the fifth round, but they could’ve potentially had both. This is, from top to bottom, an awful trade, and even if the Sharks couldn’t have predicted Pacioretty falling to 22nd, this is not a trade any smart general manager would’ve made.

With players like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Logan Couture, the Sharks have all the depth at center. A player like Max Pacioretty would’ve fit perfectly on any of their wings and would’ve made their offense a real threat instead of one that’s top-heavy. The current Canadiens captain has put up great numbers with Desharnais and Plekanec as his center, but imagine how much better they would be if he were playing on one of Thornton or Marleau’s wing.

Josh Gorges wasn’t spectacular for the Canadiens, but he provided them with some good moments, particularly in the 2010 playoffs. He was certainly better than Craig Rivet, who showed promise when he signed a four-year extension but was traded halfway through it. And with Jason Demers getting traded to the Stars last season, the Sharks have no pieces left from this deal.

Next: 16: Florida Panthers

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