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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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ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 9: Chris Pronger
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 9: Chris Pronger /

25: St. Louis Blues

It was always going to be hard for the St. Louis Blues to let go of Chris Pronger. He was a premier defenseman and a loyal teammate for over nine seasons. But injury problems limited his productivity, particularly in 2002-03 when he only appeared in five games, and the new CBA that came as a result of the lockout meant that they had to move him. So it’s not like dealing Chris Pronger came with huge regrets. It was the package they had received in return that burdened the St. Louis Blues.

Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch were buried in the AHL throughout most of their time in St. Louis. Woywitka would soon leave to join the Stars while Doug Lynch found himself in Austria of all places. The longest-lasting piece they received was Eric Brewer, and he didn’t even come close to filing the giant void that Pronger left behind. Multiple injuries limited him to just 32 games in his first season while he started the following season with just six points. He was able to turn it around and finish with 29, but that was the highest total he would reach in six seasons with the Blues.

All told, in the six seasons the Blues had Eric Brewer, they made the playoffs only once, and when they did they got swept by the Canucks. Meanwhile, what Pronger did immediately upon arriving in Edmonton was go on a Cup run with them. He was an integral part of that playoff run, amassing 21 points in 24 games. He missed out on the Cup by one game, but finally won the prize with the Ducks the following season. He and Scott Niedermayer were a force to deal with on the back end, and put up consistent totals with Anaheim.

If the Blues can take solace in one fact, it’s that they’re not the only team to get burned by trading Pronger. The Oilers and Ducks also missed the playoffs after dealing him while the team he got traded to went on a Cup run in their first year. He came up short again in Philadelphia, but Pronger, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this season, will always be regarded as an all-time great defenseman.

Next: 24: Anaheim Ducks

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