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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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MONTREAL, CANADA – CIRCA 1980: Phil Housley
MONTREAL, CANADA – CIRCA 1980: Phil Housley /

26: Los Angeles Kings

Believe it or not, there was a time when the Los Angeles Kings were picking sixth overall in the draft. You probably couldn’t find a Kings fan today who could tell you that, though.

Perhaps the biggest reason why they were picking sixth overall was because of poor management decisions like this. In 1980, the Sabres traded defenseman Jerry Korab to the Kings for a first-round pick in 1982, whom the Sabres used to replace Korab and draft Phil Housley. While there’s no way general manager George Maguire could’ve predicted that pick would turn into Phil Housley – or that it would be the sixth overall pick no less – trading away a first-round pick is risky business. And they paid the price for it.

Jerry Korab’s time with the Kings was a forgettable one. While he was involved in one of the most memorable moments in Kings franchise history – The Miracle in Manchester where he even assisted on a goal – he retired soon after that but not before being offered a comeback by the Sabres.

Phil Housley, meanwhile, played for over 21 years, mostly with the Sabres, but he also spent time with the Jets, Flames, Capitals, and Blackhawks before ending his career in a Leafs sweater. While he never won a Stanley Cup, he is known as the second-best American scorer of all-time – even more impressive considering he’s a defenseman. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame this season.

Next: 25: St. Louis Blues

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