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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 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) celebrates with the Pens bench after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) celebrates with the Pens bench after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

24: Anaheim Ducks

Chris Kunitz is a gifted player who, in just his third season as a pro, won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks. While he played well that season, amassing 66 points, his production declined rapidly after that. After a slow start in the 2008-09 season, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins where – surprise – his scoring totals skyrocketed as a result of playing with Sidney Crosby.

Kunitz was able to provide the team with secondary scoring and won a Cup with the Penguins in his first season there. Ever since that moment, he has posted career highs in goals and points. But even when Crosby was out for most of the 2011-12 with concussion-like symptoms, he still put up 28 goals and 67 points. Eric Tangradi never took off in Pittsburgh, but that was mainly due to the various injury problems that he faced.

Ryan Whitney was brought in as a depth defender, but his time with the Ducks lasted just one full season before he was unceremoniously shipped out – while on a no-trade clause, no less – to the Oilers for Lubomir Visnovsky.

In all, the Ducks really could’ve used some secondary scoring behind Perry and Getzlaf so trading away Kunitz, who was a proven winner, wasn’t a bright move. He would certainly look better than David Perron or Mike Santorelli on the Ducks’ top line.

Next: 23: Washington Capitals

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