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

4: Toronto Maple Leafs

As bad as this trade was, it’s almost been forgotten due to the unbelievably high number of bad decisions Leafs management has made over the years. Tuukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft would’ve easily made this list were it not for this trade which had a much bigger long-term effect. In fact Sean McIndoe, formerly of Grantland, wrote an excellent revisionist history that gives an idea of how much this deal turned the league on its head.

This deal was made in 1989, and the pick the Leafs gave up was in 1991 so they had no idea it would end up being so high and that it would turn out to be Scott Niedermayer, a future Hall of Famer. But even so, nobody in their right mind would give up a first-round pick for Tom Kurvers no matter how much help you needed on defense.

While he had good offensive skill, especially on the power play, he was a defensive liability. He was Dion Phaneuf before he came to Toronto. And after two seasons, Kurvers went to three different NHL teams before finishing his career in Japan of all places. The Leafs jettisoned him in 1990-91 once they began to realize how big a mistake they had made.

And since the Leafs were clearly in tank mode back then, had they held onto the pick, they would’ve owned the first overall pick and would’ve drafted Eric Lindros. If social media had existed in the 90s, the hype surrounding him would’ve eclipsed the Connor McDavid hype tenfold. That’s why, before the 1991 Draft, the Leafs went in full scramble mode in an attempt to finish outside of last, including a trade with the Quebec Nordiques that helped them pick Lindros, but more on that later.

Scott Niedermayer and the New Jersey Devils became the perfect fit. He won a Norris Trophy in 2003-04, played the style of hockey that won the Devils three Stanley Cups and put everyone to sleep, and even put up consistent offensive numbers; he typically had around 40 to 50 points a season. Once he was done in New Jersey, he moved to Anaheim where he won a Cup alongside his brother.

When all is said and done, Niedermayer arguably had a better career than Lindros seeing as how he never demanded a trade or never suffered any serious long-term injuries. The Leafs could’ve had either one but instead ended up with neither. And in case you’re wondering, Eric Lindros’ lone season spent in Toronto doesn’t make up for this deal. Not even close.

Next: 3: Vancouver Canucks