The Biggest Trade Ever

On August 9, 1988 Wayne Greztky was sent to the Los Angeles Kings with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski in exchange for, well does anyone remember? Seriously though. Martin Gelinas and Jimmy Carson, $15 million in cash, and a bunch of draft picks.

Remember, this is around the prime of his career. This was an incredible trade.

I don't want to take a lot of time to write about my feelings on it, but think about this.

How many hockey teams existed in the NHL in 1988 that were west of the St. Louis Blues/Minnesota North Stars and not in Canada?

The Los Angeles Kings.

That's it.

What about now? What about after the Gretzky trade?

Anaheim Ducks.
Phoenix Coyotes.
San Jose Sharks.
Colorado Avalanche (it should be noted that the "Colorado Rockies did exist before Gretzky entered the NHL and they were moved to New Jersey to become the Devils).
Dallas Stars.

Just to the east we now have a few more teams too.

Nashville Predators
Atlanta Trashers (okay, so they too once had a team that was moved to Calgary)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Carolina Hurriances


I exclude any Canadian team here because it is to show the growth of the sport in the USA. Sports need big players to make big games to attract big crowds. No one can deny the influence Gretzky has on the sport just by this list to show the expansions the NHL has had since the Gretzky trade. Who will be the next? Sidney Crosby? I don't know. I think he has great potential to be, but I can't say for another three years.

How many of those teams have won Stanley Cups?
Anaheim, Colorado, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Dallas.

Who would have won those cups had Gretzky never gone to Southern California? I don't think we will ever know and I like it that way.