THE 5 WORST TRADES IN NHL HISTORY

The NHL trade deadline draws ever closer, and many talented players are rumored to be changing teams in the very near future. That said, we don't really know how any of these trades--should they actually happen--will turn out. Here are five ended up extremely one sided. They are the five worst trades in NHL history.

5. The Canucks traded Alek Stojanov to the Penguins for Markus Naslund- March 20, 1996
Naslund had 19 goals and 52 points in 66 with the Pens in '95-96 before he was dealt to Vancouver. Stojanov appeared in only 45 games with Pittsburgh over the next two seasons--scoring two goals-- and never made it back to the NHL.

4. The Flyers traded Peter Forsberg, Steve Duschene, Mike Ricci, Ron Hextall, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, a draft pick (who became Jocelyn Thibault), and $15 million to the Nordiques for Eric Lindros- June 30, 1992
Thats quite the handful Quebec got for Lindros. Forsberg was one of the most skilled players in the NHL for a number of years with the club, most of it after they moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. Ricci was an agitator who helped the Avs big time in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the draft pick, which later became Jocelyn Thibault was later traded to Montreal for a goaltender by the name of Patrick Roy. The Avalanche went on to win two of the next five Cups. Lindros was good, but concussions derailed his career. He certainly wasn't worth what Philly gave up for him.

3. The Rangers traded Bernie Nichols, Steven Rice, and Louie Debrusk to the Oilers for Mark Messier and Jeff Buekeboom- October 4, 1991
What can you really say about this one? Messier became one of the Rangers' all-time greats, leading them to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. Bernie Nichols--the best of the three players Edmonton acquired--lasted two seasons in Edmonton. Ouch.

2. The Bruins traded Barry Pederson to the Canucks for Cam Neely and the number three overall draft pick in 1987 (Glen Wesley)- June 6, 1986
Vancouver gave up Neely, then 21-years-old, for a player who was four years older and certainly not as talented. Neely became the ultimate power forward for the Bruins, and his number eight now hangs in the rafters of the (new) Boston Garden. The pick became Wesley, who spent seven successful seasons in Boston, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals twice. Pederson spent four unimpressive seasons with the Canucks before being traded to Pittsburgh in 1990.

1. The Bruins traded Pit Martin, Jack Norris, and Gille Marotte to the Blackhawks for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield-May 15, 1967
Pit Martin was the only player Chicago got in this deal that had any success for them. Meanwhile the Bruins picked up Esposito, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the game, Hodge, who scored 289 goals in nine seasons with the Bruins, and Stanfield, who scored 20 goals in each of his six seasons with the club. Only that debacle (for Chicago at least) could knock the Neely trade (above) out of the top spot.