Jan Levine: First in a series of blogs to select five worst trades in Rangers' history This blog: 1963-1994

Hands down, the worst Rangers 1963 to 1994 Era trade was dealing 22 year old potential annual 40G/40A player in RICK MIDDLETON to Boston for 10 year older KEN HODGE, due to 34 year old center, Phil Esposito's demand of "needing" his former Bruins' RW urgently "FOR HIM" to be goals productive here.
But his Boston LW in Wayne Cashman equally aided to Espo's 50 goal Bruins seasons of popping goals in from the slot, while they were doing the hard & dirty work for him. Ironically, with Hodge gone after under only 100 GP in 2 seasons, Rangers' 1978/79 rookie LW, Don Maloney kept Espo's Rangers career productive through age 39 in the 1980/81 season.
Meanwhile, 1st Round 1973 pick in mobile & speedy rookie, Rick Middleton, was on his way at age 21 to a 40 goal season & possible 1974/75 NHL rookie of the year, until suffering a mid season broken leg injury. He returned late that season, finishing with 22 goals & 18 assists in 47 games.
The balance is history to forget with Boston benefiting long term, while the Rangers in continuing their downfall from their 1972 Cup Finals loss to Boston, finished last in the then, Patrick Division in 1975/76, being in no way near a Cup contender in the immediate future to warrant that type of move in May, 1976, and making it their worst trade "FOR TEAM" purposes.

Not sure how anyone could vote for the Bernie Nichols trade. It landed Messier a few years later.

I voted for Middleton for Hodge too

almost a dead heat for me was trading Kelly Miller and Mike Ridley for Bobby Carpenter

but I tell you, trading Dave Gagner for Paul Boutillier and Jari Gronstrand was an underrated poopburger

I voted for Middleton for Hodge too

almost a dead heat for me was trading Kelly Miller and Mike Ridley for Bobby Carpenter

but I tell you, trading Dave Gagner for Paul Boutillier and Jari Gronstrand was an underrated poopburger
- jimbro83

Jimbo, why I included it. Trade gets lost on lots of the other bad ones made but not was that deal horrific.

Not sure how anyone could vote for the Bernie Nichols trade. It landed Messier a few years later.
- mames11

It did land Mess, which is what I noted in the blog. But that doesn't fully diminish how poor this trade was in isolation. Plus, it's possible someone else could have been included to get Mess rather than Nicholls if the first deal hadn't gone down.

Not sure how anyone could vote for the Bernie Nichols trade. It landed Messier a few years later.
- mames11

You dimwits bought your cup in 94. Edmonton rangers.

It did land Mess, which is what I noted in the blog. But that doesn't fully diminish how poor this trade was in isolation. Plus, it's possible someone else could have been included to get Mess rather than Nicholls if the first deal hadn't gone down.
- airjan23

isn't it amazing that the 1994 Devils had both Bernie Nicholls and Bobby Carpenter and how close they came to be being defeated by them

You dimwits bought your cup in 94. Edmonton rangers.
- Sell My Monkey

well, the league made a backroom deal to make sure you'd get Sidney Crosby or you guys would have moved to Kansas City and to appease Mario who helped end the lockout.

It's true. Not a made up story. So put an asterisk on the Cups there (frank) dog.

You dimwits bought your cup in 94. Edmonton rangers.
- Sell My Monkey

Leetch, Zubov, Ricther, Kovalev. Who did the Rangers by them from. We'll wait.

Congrats on the big signing fellas.

This from the guy who's team lost games on purpose to draft Lemieux. Ugh, that franchise is disgusting.

Congrats on the big signing fellas.
- smellmyfinger

PTO.

I go with the Miller/Ridley trade because it was during my time. Horrendous trade. For anyone to go with any of those 94 deals with Weight Amonte and Gartner are out of their minds for the mere fact that they won the cup. Now, if they didn't win, the Amonte and Weight deals could/would be scrutinized to the fullest. And whether or not they acquired Mess for Bernie, that Sandstrom and Granato (2 of my favorite Rangers), at least they acquired a hell of a player in Nichols. That cannot be compared to the Carpenter deal in my opinion.
I'll throw in the Zubov, Nedved for Robitaille, Samuelson. Not that the return was bad, but the Rangers have never replaced Sergei who was awesome and had a nice career. Hopefully Shatty changes that.

excited for the next list, post 94 since this is a bit before my time.

posed the question to my father and he was torn on both boston deals, but went with the middleton one.

I go with the Miller/Ridley trade because it was during my time. Horrendous trade. For anyone to go with any of those 94 deals with Weight Amonte and Gartner are out of their minds for the mere fact that they won the cup. Now, if they didn't win, the Amonte and Weight deals could/would be scrutinized to the fullest. And whether or not they acquired Mess for Bernie, that Sandstrom and Granato (2 of my favorite Rangers), at least they acquired a hell of a player in Nichols. That cannot be compared to the Carpenter deal in my opinion.
I'll throw in the Zubov, Nedved for Robitaille, Samuelson. Not that the return was bad, but the Rangers have never replaced Sergei who was awesome and had a nice career. Hopefully Shatty changes that.
- Blueshirts16

On your later sentence, don't jump the gun. Next blog is 95-present with 20 deals to review to select five. That deal came in 1995, which it wasn't included. I noted the caveats with voting for the March 1994 deals, since it led to the Cup. But a valid question is would they have won the Cup without those deals and what would the deal have looked like with Weight, Amonte, Marchant and Gartner in future.

excited for the next list, post 94 since this is a bit before my time.

posed the question to my father and he was torn on both boston deals, but went with the middleton one.
- NYRangers1124

I am trying to get tickets to Ratelle night and hope to be in building when jersey is retired, which lets you know my view on that trade. But Middleton deal was way worse. However, was told Fromm reliable source that NY might have had to deal Middleton and did best that they could given the circumstances. Still was a lousy trade.

I am trying to get tickets to Ratelle night and hope to be in building when jersey is retired, which lets you know my view on that trade. But Middleton deal was way worse. However, was told Fromm reliable source that NY might have had to deal Middleton and did best that they could given the circumstances. Still was a lousy trade.
- airjan23

when's the ceremony?

excited for the next list, post 94 since this is a bit before my time.

posed the question to my father and he was torn on both boston deals, but went with the middleton one.
- NYRangers1124

Kim Johnsson for Lindros was areal crappy one.

This is the old peoples blog.


Can't really comment on any of the ones before the mid 80's so I will go with acquiring Bernie Nicholls because his face always bothered me.

This is the old peoples blog.


Can't really comment on any of the ones before the mid 80's so I will go with acquiring Bernie Nicholls because his face always bothered me.
- mdw7413

for real

This is the old peoples blog.


Can't really comment on any of the ones before the mid 80's so I will go with acquiring Bernie Nicholls because his face always bothered me.
- mdw7413

You dimwits bought your cup in 94. Edmonton rangers.
- Sell My Monkey

TANKED to draft Lemiuex.

https://hockey-graphs.com...zona-pittsburgh-penguins/

for real


- NYRangers1124

Marc Savard for Jan Hlavac and Jamie Lundmark was rough too.

You dimwits bought your cup in 94. Edmonton rangers.
- Sell My Monkey