As we head toward the February 25th NHL trade deadline, let’s look at the top 10 deadline deals in New York Rangers history. These deals had both a positive and negative impact in terms of how the acquired players helped the Rangers for the playoff of run or helped restock the cupboard of prospects and younger players.
The list covers six decades of trades dating back to the 1967 expansion days when it wasn’t surprising to see players go back and forth between teams under gentleman agreements to protect them from being exposed to waiver pickup. Then GM Emile Francis would routinely make his trade deals in the November timeframe to send a message to shake up the team.