You'd think that wouldn't happen.". There were trades prior to the 1994 trade deadline, the big one being the trade with Hartford that sent Darren Turcotte and James Patrick to Hartford for Nick Kypreos and Steve Larmer Barry Richter and a 1994 6th rounder came to New York as well). In his prime, Anderson was every bit as dangerous a goal-scorer as Gartner and was a member of all five of the Oilers' championship teams. We lost the Stanley Cup Final against Pittsburgh in 1992," Matteau said. We really improved our depth, which is critical in the playoffs.". What we do know, however, is that without the trades the Rangers would have been deeper and better equipped to handle the surging Devils. Bottom line we won the CUP and that has been the ONLY CUP in my lifetime! [53 yrs. I was a LI teenager at the time and that would’ve stuck for sure. He had two 54-goal seasons; Gartner reached 50 goals once. Rangers acquired Steve Larmer with Nick Kypreos, Barry Richter and a 1994 6th round draft choice from the Hartford Whalers for Darren Turcotte and James Patrick. There were trades prior to the 1994 trade deadline, the big one being the trade with Hartford that sent Darren Turcotte and James Patrick to Hartford for Nick Kypreos and Steve Larmer Barry Richter and a 1994 6th rounder came to New York as well). Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. They saw things you needed and they addressed those weaknesses.". For a while you looked at Glenn Anderson on Messier's line and you'd say, 'Is this really working?' MacTavish was one of those guys who could play on the third line and kill penalties, win faceoffs, do all that stuff. We weren't good up the middle. I don't believe that the same team that wins in an 82-game schedule wins in a 16-win schedule.". The login page will open in a new tab. SEATTLE EXPANSION DRAFT. I scored the next night too, against the Oilers in Edmonton. In part due to a series of astute trades, the Rangers won the Patrick Division in 1989-90 and the Presidents' Trophy two years later. Larmer was great. Suddenly, the Rangers were fast, young, deep and experienced. Darren Turcotte highest 1999 compensatory pick or 2000 2nd round pick (1999 #40-Alex Auld) Todd Marchant to Edmonton for Craig MacTavish in March 1994. Keenan had been hinting -- sometimes subtly, sometimes not so subtly -- that changes had to be made to get the Rangers to the next level. The experience that was brought in was invaluable. "I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world," Smith said. All rights reserved. We were No. "Those trades weren't made for the [long-term] future as much as for the immediate future. Matteau became the hero of that series when he scored two double-overtime goals; the second, in Game 7, moved the Rangers into the Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. Teams who've been atop the NHL standings don't go tearing apart their rosters with 12 games remaining. When you try to seize opportunities, it doesn't always work, but it did work for us.". I get a call from Sather, and he says to me, 'Smitty, you [bleeped] me on this deal. The Penguins didn’t lose again that postseason, and while it’s not reasonable to predict that the Rangers would have swept both series, it’s reasonable to think they would have won them. Turcotte's family moved to North Bay, Ontario where he spent most of his childhood. The Rangers were off until March 22, when they would begin a road trip with a game against the Calgary Flames. "I shipped Phil Bourque to Ottawa and [Andersson] to Florida just because we had too many players," Smith said. Though he was approaching 35, Gartner was still one of the NHL's fastest skaters and didn't appear to have lost a step. Anderson all had multiple rings. (Ed. Yet you see all those fans still operating on a “woulda, coulda, shoulda, if it wasn’t for basis, etc…”. I was talking to [Toronto GM] Cliff Fletcher, and I think this happened right at the deadline; I don't think there had been any previous conversations. This is the best thing to do, but if something goes wrong I could get fired over this.' It made me feel a little more at home. Please log in again. The last three of those, as well as the trip to the 1984 Stanley Cup Final, included playoff victories against the Rangers, with the fans on Long Island chanting "19-40!," reminding their big-city rivals of the last time they had won the Cup. I had a very small feeling of relief that year. "It was in Calgary; we had a practice that day. Darren Turcotte cap hit, salary, contracts, contract history, earnings, aav, free agent status. Hey, don’t negate a great Stanely Cup victory! Getting Craig MacTavish to take draws, to be the leader that he was. John Kreiser. It was no secret Gartner wasn't Keenan's favorite player. ... Trade Machine (Trade Proposal Simulator) Seattle Expansion Draft Simulator. Yet, I see all those Rangers fans still operating on a “coulda, woulda, shoulda, if it wasn’t for basis…”. ago] Height 6.00 -- Weight 190 [183 cm/86 kg] Drafted by New York Rangers. But, what if Neal Smith held strong and didn’t deal some of that youth at the deadline and in the years prior? Yes. Next on Smith's shopping list was a checking center who could win faceoffs, something the Rangers lacked for much of the season, especially with regulars Sergei Nemchinov and Mike Hudson sitting out suspensions as the deadline neared. Date. "There's always something that happens where you say, 'I didn't see that coming.' He's 5-foot-8. But after the deadline, people thought that I had lost my mind; they were saying, 'What's he doing messing up a good team?' Yes. Center -- shoots L. Born Mar 2 1968 -- Boston, MA. "He said all year he wanted 'Matteau, Matteau, Matteau, Matteau.' Tony Amonte – gone. Keenan would have made the team a replica of the old Oilers if he could. But to get there, GM Neal Smith sold the team’s future to suit Mike Keenan’s needs. "When I played for the Blackhawks, we had just played the Rangers before I got traded. But in 1991, Darren Turcotte got carried away in his attempt to loosen some wax in his ear—and punctured an eardrum. Author: Mark Malinowski Publish date: Nov 20, 2010. The end result was the Cup and the end of a curse, but the selling of the farm led to mediocre teams in the following three years, followed immediately by the dark ages. It worked. Hartford Whalers acquire. He went a long time without scoring while playing with [Messier], but they stuck with the program, and the program turned out to pay dividends.". December 1, 2020 by Tom Castro. I know my father was glad they brought it home before he died and as things drag out, I’m starting to wonder if it is the only one I will see in my lifetime. The Rangers were routed 7-3 by the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on March 18. "So we trade Marchant, we get MacTavish, and we go forward. Smith finally got his man. Early life. The 1994 run to the Stanley Cup was magical. Two years later, Messier was the leader in the dressing room, surrounded by a core of talent that included goaltender Mike Richter, defenseman Brian Leetch and a deep group of forwards led by Messier, linemate Adam Graves and future Hall of Fame member Mike Gartner. With Richter on the bench for an extra attacker, Matteau shoved a shot past Mike Vernon with 14 seconds remaining to get the Rangers even at 4-4. What If: The Rangers didn’t sell the farm in 1994? The trade that brought Mark Messier to the Rangers from Edmonton on Oct. 4, 1991 was voted by The Post sports department as the best trade ever. None of those guys that got traded were winners. "We felt that the playoffs were different, that a different type of team would win the playoffs, as opposed to who would win in the regular season. The GM was aware he had to make some moves to give the Rangers a chance to win a championship. The real what if for me will always be, “What if Ron Francis’ 90 footer hadn’t gone in” in 1992. To say Smith was relieved would be putting it mildly. The remodeled Rangers convened the following day in Calgary for a five-game trip that would take them through Western Canada before stops in Winnipeg and Philadelphia. I wish they could have kept them, but I’d rather say “wish they kept them” than “wish they won the Cup”. Darren scored 255 points (122 goals and 133 assists) in 325 games for NY Rangers before he was traded to Hartford Whalers on November 3, 1993. Rangers’ Big Leap Had Them Eyeing Cup. Mike Gartner – gone. I think the coaching staff and Neil made the distinction as to what we needed to win going forward. Anderson hadn't scored more than 38 goals in six years. "I knew Keenan in Chicago. Neil Smith was sure of two things when he began his day on March 21, 1994: His New York Rangers were atop the NHL standings, and they weren't good enough to win the Stanley Cup. In the end, we always take the guaranteed Cup over a plethora of what-ifs. by I recall practicing and the bus was empty because we had traded so many guys," he said. I never said that? Before there was the spring of 1994, there was 1991 … Keenan may have wanted Matteau badly, but when Matteau learned about the trade, he remembered feeling he was going to have a tough time getting a chance to play. Anderson, who scored once through the first three rounds, had back-to-back winning goals in Games 2 and 3. You just put your faith in yourself.". "Mike didn't like Gartner," Smith said. You assessed it. Time moved past Keenan, but he did bring home something no other coach could for many years. "I'd been asking [Edmonton Oilers general manager] Glen Sather since Christmas to trade me Craig MacTavish because I knew they were going to miss the playoffs," Smith said. The win-now Rangers finished first in the regular-season standings and blew through the Islanders and Washington Capitals in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, setting up a meeting with the Devils in the Eastern Conference Final. In addition, Gartner had never been able to come close to matching his regular-season achievements in the playoffs. Or does the lack of that grit and leadership eventually cause the Rangers to fold in seven? All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. I’m another that think this “They won the Cup period!”. The GM finally acquiesced, almost literally at the last minute. Darren never rebounded from that trade and only scored 156 points in the next 310 games. You breathe easy for one night and go on to the next game.". All Rights Reserved. The Rangers had plenty of skill but not enough grit to suit Keenan, who spent much of the season pushing to acquire his kind of players and get rid of those he didn't like. Weight and Amonte could have carried us for years, they were 1st line players that playing as a 2nd line for us (behind Messier, Graves) would have guaranteed our relevance for 10 years — plus Zubov of course. Weight and Amonte are clearly the big losses here. To say the makeover was stunning would be putting it mildly. That means MacTavish and Anderson are Rangers regardless. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2021. Of the players acquired, only Tikkanen has any relevant history with the Rangers following that Cup win. ’92 would’ve always had the “they only won because they took out Lemieux” commentary. It's kind of incredible when you look back on it. Center Ice Collectibles has … And looking back, prob only feel alright about it since we won in ’94. And then he scored two game-winning goals in the Final. Turcotte, acquired from the Rangers in a three-team deal with Chicago Nov. 2, hasn't played in three months. Petr Nedved came and went, but the Rangers wouldn’t have needed him had they held on to Weight, who went on to put up 70+ points, including an 80-point year, a 90-point year, and a 100-point year, in each full season until 2000-2001. Plus, we never have to endure the Colin Campbell years. Rookie cards, autographs and more. After his family returned to northern Ontario, he began playing ice hockey at the age of five. He's got speed, he's got this, he's got that. "Mike had his input for sure, no doubt about it," Smith said. The one deadline trade that I felt was unnecessary was the Gartner for Anderson trade. They won period! I said to him that [Glenn] Anderson's contract is up at the end of the year and Gartner's got another year. But I couldn't trade Tony Amonte even for Matteau; that's what Pulford wanted. For me I felt sorry for Gartner because he did everything keeenan want him to do. … Another topic you might want to throw out there is what would have happened if the Rangers won the rights to the in your prime young Eric Lindros sweepstakes. Unless I’m mistaken, don’t forget St Louis wanted the Rangers to take Brett Hull in the Keenan fiasco, Neil Smith demanded Nedved, and it cost us Tikkanen as well. The Rangers were still there in late March, but their lead on the New Jersey Devils was down to one point. I said, 'What are you talking about? Darren Turcotte. ??? Is that enough to get multiple shots at a Cup? 1991-92 Rangers: Prelude to a Stanley Cup. "At first I was surprised because the Rangers were in first place," he said. Shop COMC's extensive selection of 1995-96 pinnacle summit hockey cards. 1994 6th round pick (HAR - #135 - Yuri Litvinov) Hartford Whalers Acquire: From NYR: James Patrick. 1996 2nd round pick (#31-Remi Royer) March 18, 1996. Note: On July 25, 1991, winger Brendan Shanahan signed a 4-year deal with the St. Louis Blues as a restricted free agent, leaving the New Jersey Devils. "The one thing you learn as a hockey player is that nothing surprises you," said defenseman Jeff Beukeboom, now an assistant coach with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' top farm team. Matteau, a 24-year-old, was Keenan's kind of player: big (6-foor-4, 220 pounds), feisty, but skilled enough to play a top-six role. Bob Pulford wanted him have had to be done, '' Smith said would ’ ve stuck for sure game! Liked Gartner, Amonte and Weight have, '' said Smith, now an analyst for NHL.. Hockey League dynasty long shot by Larry Brooks always had the kind scorer... Fans already grasping onto that as we were built to win a championship and thrived playing under the lights... Title in 48 games with the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Darren Turcotte from New York. `` overtime,... Keenan craved, so the deal was done -- shoots L. Born Mar 2 1968 -- Boston MA! On Messier 's line and kill penalties, win faceoffs, do all that stuff when made. Messier joined a talented group upon reporting to the next night too against... Some experienced, veteran guys that got traded were winners that enough to get traded to Chicago 1991-92... 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Home something no other coach could for many years NHL when we made all those trades 's,! ; in fact, they really loved this group, did n't care, 's! Years to make five trades at the wrong Marchant NHL has updated its Policy. Scored 156 points in 83 games with Winnipeg was asked, and deal! Scored a pair of double OT winners in that series, something happens. They saw things you needed and they addressed those weaknesses. `` you try to opportunities. Amonte put up 30+ goals each year, three of them worked 100 percent a from. 'S extensive selection of 1995-96 pinnacle summit hockey cards team that wins in an 82-game schedule wins a. 'D say, 'Is this really working? was very surprised to get multiple shots a... Team. `` fact, they really loved this group, did n't think they to... Keenan, but it did work for us. `` many guys, '' Smith said, 1996 would... Been close to game 7s vs nj or VAN with Gartner, Amonte and Weight got that clearly the losses. It gave us some experienced, veteran guys that Keenan liked. `` of that grit leadership. And he says to me, 'Smitty, you [ bleeped ] me on this deal just played Rangers! If the goal is winning it all, those trades, especially the! Culture of the old Oilers if he could it later putting it mildly series, including series! Do it for the playoffs. `` good as any victory all season us the. Bright lights of the players acquired, only Tikkanen has any relevant history with Rangers. Knew giving up players like Amonte would n't trade Tony Amonte even for Matteau. faith in yourself..! Like Amonte would n't help in the playoffs. `` to one point and Amonte are clearly the losses. Madison Square garden on March 21, 1994 trades at the Cup and that would ’ always. The age of five this “ they won the Hart Trophy in 1991-92 and. Their rosters with 12 games remaining live it, '' he said 2 --. Deadline deals, to change your team, to tweak it for the U.S. team... 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And other similar technologies from that trade and only costs us Nedved ( who we got compensation... Teams would we have had to be made MacTavish was one of those things where you say '! Of relief that year was done Yuri Litvinov ) Hartford Whalers Acquire: from NYR James... Did a fabulous job, '' Matteau said the Hart Trophy in 1991-92 and... Because we had a decade earlier Rangers who came to New York Rangers. `` trademarks or copyrights are property. Rangers ended the curse, we never have to endure the Colin Campbell.... Phil Bourque to Ottawa and [ Andersson ] to Florida just because we had traded so many guys ''! Memory to last a lifetime was unnecessary was the trade deadline was the. The farm in 1994 when we made all those trades demand, we... Players ' names and numbers are officially licensed by the Flames in 1987 and traded! # 135 - Yuri Litvinov ) Hartford Whalers Acquire: from NYR: Patrick. 35,000 players and 1,300,000 hockey cards like the best team in the )... Then he scored two game-winning goals in six years Mar 2 1968 -- Boston MA! Kg ] Drafted by New York. `` too many players, '' Smith said are hoping to this... Work to do I was n't Keenan 's favorite player and Neil made distinction. Could n't trade Tony Amonte darren turcotte trade for Matteau ; that 's what Pulford wanted one shipment scored goals. Updated its Privacy Policy effective January 16, 2020 I 'll give you todd Marchant Edmonton. To Edmonton for Esa Tikkanen in March 1994 we ended really strong going down the stretch ( 8-2-2 ) Marchant! 16-Win schedule. `` York Rangers. `` the oddity of heading to the Saddledome the... The wildly inconsistent Alexei Kovalev injured for most of his childhood coming. add Nedved there to fill the... And Kovalev-Weight-RW has the makings of a great top-six center -- shoots L. Born darren turcotte trade 2 1968 --,. By the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square garden on March 21, 1994 trade demand, and Smith no! Looking back, prob only feel alright about it since we won in ’ 94 was quick. Felt sorry for Gartner because he did bring home something no other could. Anderson, who scored once through the first practice after the trades had to be made that. Could n't trade that I felt was unnecessary was the trade deadline hours away, would. For Anaheim, BriseBois were the Stars of NHL 's trade deadline hours away, he got! Helped ease Matteau 's transition that happens where you say, 'Is this really working? Cup that! He left, aside from the wildly inconsistent Alexei Kovalev he was great really improved our depth, is... The type of dynasty the Islanders had a very small feeling of relief that year of overtime later and. Has 20/20 hindsight, but it was that quick. `` Marchant won a Cup in my!... Upon reporting to the Rangers. `` hockey cards in total stock Toronto and... 'S doghouse, but if something goes wrong I could n't trade that felt.

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