Formula For Success: Cup Winning Trade Deadline Moves

I had a request to do a post with respect to key deadline deal moves made by eventual Stanley Cup winners of the past. I was intrigued by this given task, but wondered if time restraints would allow me to do adequate justice to this topic. Fortunately, TSN has done the ground work for me and I, therefore, have no need to reinvent the wheel. Their article From Traders To Champions highlights some roster solidifying transactions that have taken place from 1980 right up to last season.


Here are my personal two favourites:

1. "1979-80 Season

March 10, 1980 - New York Islanders obtain C Butch Goring from Los Angeles for RW Billy Harris and D Dave Lewis (trade completed one day before the deadline).

Harris was the first player drafted in Islanders' history and had been with the club since its inaugural season, 1972-73. Lewis had been a steady presence on the Islanders blueline for seven seasons. With Goring, the Islanders went undefeated in their last 12 regular-season games and went on to capture their first-ever Stanley Cup championship."

2. "1990-91 Season

March 4, 1991 - Pittsburgh Penguins obtain C Ron Francis, D Grant Jennings and D Ulf Samuelsson from Hartford for C John Cullen, RW Jeff Parker and D Zarley Zalapski (trade completed one day before the trading deadline).

The Penguins went on to capture the 1991 Stanley Cup, the first championship in franchise history. Francis was tied for the team lead with four game-winning goals and tied for fifth in scoring with 17 points during the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Francis played in Pittsburgh for eight seasons, posting 100 points in 97 post-season games and was also traded at the deadline again in 2004 by Carolina."

Last season, the Red Wings acquired Brad Stuart, who added to an already deep blueline, but played a really strong, physical defensive game. He was a key cog defensively for Detroit.

What will be the Holy Grail of trades this season?

1. Will it be Niedermayer & Niedermayer (Scott and Rob) landing in Beantown, to strengthen the surprisingly powerful Bruins?

2. Will it be San Jose landing Mike "Underwood nee" Fisher to strengthen the 3rd line?

3. Will it be Chicago landing Keith Tkachuk to provide some power forward presence, experience and leadership to such a youthful team?

4. Will it be the Penguins landing Mark Recchi and Milan Hejduk to provide experience and more wingers for Sid the Kid and Malkin (along with the newly aquired Chris Kunitz)?

5. Will it be Philadelphia landing Jay Boumeester to give them a true #1 d-man?

The above, course, are some speculative deals I've thrown out on the table. Feel free to comment below on potential deadline deals you see that might put your favourite team over the edge in their quest for Lord Stanley.

"Rarely imitated, Never duplicated"

The Hockey Spy