BLOCKBUSTER TRADES OF THE PAST: GM CLIFF FLETCHER CHANGES THE LEAFS' FORTUNES
On September 19, 1991, Toronto traded Vincent Damphousse, Scott Thornton, Luke Richardson, goalie Peter Ing, futures, and cash to Edmonton for Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr, and Craig Berube.
In January 1992, Toronto traded Gary Leeman, Craig Berube, Michel Petit, Alexander Godynyuk, and goalie Jeff Reese to Calgary for Doug Gilmour, Jamie Macoun, Ric Nattress, Kent Manderville, and goalie Rick Walmsley.
Grant Fuhr and Futures were traded to Buffalo in 1993 for Dave Andreychuk, Daren Puppa, and Sabre's 1st round pick Kenny Jonsson in the 93 draft.
These moves solidified a strong core for a revived Leaf team in the 1990's. Gad, Fletcher was good, he was REAL good!
7 Comments:
I've seen better.
Godynyuk was no slouch.
Probably Toronto's only true hockey brain since the early days of Imlach. As far as the others between and since only Quinn as a GM had an once of vision.
Of those three deals mentioned, I find the first to be a roll of the dice. With 2 of the 3 still active, and Damphousse having had a stellar career, it's easy to say Fletcher surrendered too much youth at that time. Hindsight withstanding, the Leafs did need an infusion of veteran leadership at that moment. Not sure that they got it by receiving two of the kookiest of those Oilers legends of the day. However it did have the desired effect on the team.
To Cliff's credit, he spun that deal around years later by bringing in Andreychuk and Puppa on top of a key pick.
The mega Gilmour deal is his Picasso. An out and out steal. Having previously worked in the Calgary organization, he was able to fleece his successor Risebrough to the point where it undid the Flames for a decade.
Fletcher, compared to other Leafs GM's had a long history of success and was a very good hire. He toiled in semi obscurity in the Habs organization for years in player development, scouting, and running the powerful Nova Scotia Voyageurs that fed players to the Canadiens up until 1980. He then made Stanley Cup champs out of the Flames. Bottom line is the man came to T.O. with a resume. An impressive one.
I always found that in Fletchers final Leaf years, he made deals that were very unlike himself. As if his hands were tied. The man who hired Pat Burns was made to fire him and trades began not making sense. He got a good return on Gilmour to NJ but pissed those pieces away quickly.
When he was shown the exit, Fletcher left the team in the same confused state he'd found it in 91.
Rc must be a fucking encyclopedia...I hated it when gilmour got traded.
Very true stuff RC. I think Fletcher's hands were tied at the end as well. The Flames somewhat succeeded after the Gilmour trade due in part possibly that they still had Roberts, Fleury and Nieuwendyk. But I think it was during the time when Trevor Kidd became their goalie that the downward spiral was taking place!
Actually I forgot that MacInnis stuck around until the mid-late 90's and Robert stinking Reichel was having 40-goal seasons. But Fleury was really leading the team. Trevor Kidd started out good, and then floundered, leaving Rick Tabaracci to man the net. It was at this time that Jarome Iginla was emerging, and the Flames really started sucking!
Yep, 'Killer' does rule! Pretty good for a 170 pounder wasn't he?
Where's Norton?? He'd have something to say about this!
The only time we hear of trades like these todays are Trade Proposals over at HFboards.com. (I suggest we trade D Christian Backman, R Lee Stempniak, L Dallas Drake, C Jay McClement & G Jason Bacashihua to Washington for L Matt Pettinger, D Steve Eminger, R Ben Clymer, C Brooks Laich and a 4th rounder. Thoughts anyone?)
I made that one up and I do not endorse flaming me on my blog for thinking I'm that stupid.
When was the last time we hade a seven+ players trade? Anyone?
hmmmm...I'll check! The Jagr deal maybe, not sure!
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