The worst Leafs trade of all time is actually even worse than you think
The Leafs have made some horrendous trades over their 100+ year history. Rask for Raycroft, a first and two foruths for Nick Foligno, and Phil Kessel for the picks that became Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton are prime, and painful, examples. The worst, however, was when the Leafs sent their first round pick in 1991 to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Tom Kurvers. Kurvers would play just 89 games in a Leafs uniform and though his 55 points in those 89 games is impressive, it was nothing compared to what the Devils got back. With the Leafs first round pick, at third overall, the Devils selected Hall Of Famer Scott Niedermayer.
Niedermayer helped the Devils win three Stanley Cups and won a Norris Trophy before winning another Cup, along with a Conn Smythe with the Anaheim Ducks. Oh, and he was also a key part of Team Canada's 2002 and 2010 Olympic Gold Medal winning teams. Those titles along with his World Championship win in 2004 make Niedermayer a member of the elusive Triple Gold Club. Niedermayer would have changed the tragectory of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who knows, maybe with him, the Leafs get past the LA Kings and win the 1993 Stanley Cup.
An interview with former Leafs GM Gerry McNamara revealed that McNamara had a plan, a plan to finish last and in doing so, use the first overall pick to draft Eric Lindros. Unfortunately, he was fired by Harold Ballard before he could execute his plan.
Now, here's where things get a little bit weird. McNamara was let go in 1988, Lindros and Niedermayer were drafted in 1991. I can see why an owner with the temperment of Ballard would have objected to 3 seasons of tanking. Still, If McNamara's plan had worked, having a young Eric Lindros would have been franchise altering for the Leafs. It seems that in this case, McNamara's commitment to "The Process" and the long game was his undoing. On the other hand, Ballard's lack of patience was the Leafs' undoing.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 1 | 664 ANSWERS The worst Leafs trade of all time is actually even worse than you think Who would you rather have had as a member of the Maple Leafs in their prime? | ||
| Eric Lindros | 235 | 35.4 % |
| Scott Niedermayer | 414 | 62.3 % |
| Tom Kurvers | 15 | 2.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
