Nikita Kucherov’s stunning trade request got me thinking: Just how often has something like this happened in NHL history? After all, Kucherov won the MVP last season after racking up 130 points. Guys like that just don’t get dealt.
Or do they? A star player being traded, especially after a big season, is unusual in the NHL, certainly. But it’s not all that rare. No reigning MVP has ever been traded, but we saw a Vezina winner dealt just a few years ago. We came very close to seeing the Norris winner traded just this past summer. In fact, there are enough examples of star players being moved in the offseason that we were able to invent a fake award for just that situation.
So sure, maybe it’s not all that unheard of for a superstar to be dealt in the summer following a big season. But that’s not what’s happening here. Kucherov made it through the offseason without any hint of a move, only to drop his trade request bomb after a dozen games were in the books. That means that if he gets his wish, it will be by a midseason trade.
That’s far more rare. In fact, it’s almost unheard of. Almost.
So today, let’s look back at five time where a player had a monster year, only to be traded during the following season. These aren’t necessarily the five best players to meet those criteria, but hopefully they make for some interesting stories which may be new to some of you kids out there.
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