Michel Bergeron’s hiring as New York Rangers head coach in June 1987 was scrutinized well before he ever worked a game for the Blueshirts. The ink on his three-year contract was barely dry before general manager Phil Esposito was chastised by some media and fans for the price it cost to land the Montreal-born head coach.
Bergeron was under contract for two more seasons with the Quebec Nordiques when the Rangers came calling. Nordiques’ ownership allowed Bergeron to leave for Broadway, but only after the Blueshirts agreed to send $100,000 cash and a first-round pick in exchange. Esposito reportedly balked at including the pick but was persuaded to by his scouting staff.