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

9: Detroit Red Wings

While we all remember the Detroit Red Wings as a team that has made the playoffs for 24 straight seasons, there was a time when – from 1967 to 1982 – they made the playoffs just twice. During this time, they were appropriately labeled the “Dead Things.”

Marcel Dionne was a second overall pick who was meant to get Detroit out of the Dead Things era. He had some remarkable years including a 121-point season in 1974-75 and never scored less than 77. But a lack of a supporting cast must have surely frustrated him so he demanded a trade. While they could’ve gotten a nice return for Dionne, it only perpetuated the Dead Things even longer.

Terry Harper put up decent numbers, but only stayed for four seasons before he was shipped away to the Blues and Dan Maloney was more of an enforcer than anything. And they didn’t even use the second-round pick they received, trading it to the Minnesota North Stars.

At the time, the deal the Kings signed Dionne to what was the richest in hockey history. It showed how much faith they had in him, and he paid dividends. He repeated his success with the Red Wings and scored 100 points so often it became out of style. But like with the Red Wings, he was frustrated with the lack of playoff success. He demanded a trade to the Rangers, but before that was able to mentor the next breed of Kings stars such as Luc Robitaille.

The Kings, having now won two of the last four Stanley Cups, have now learned their lesson that it takes a balanced team rather than just one player (Dionne, Gretzky) to win a Cup.

Next: 8: Winnipeg Jets (Atlanta Thrashers)