Revisiting the 2014 Lightning-Rangers Blockbuster Trade & NHL Oddities
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", looking back at the first Jeff Carter trade, the Red Wings' 25-year playoff streak, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
In today’s edition, we have a few “Today in Hockey History” posts, revisiting the 2014 Tampa Bay Lightning-New York Rangers blockbuster trade, some NHL oddities that we will never see again, the first Jeff Carter trade, and more.
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Today in Hockey History: Jan. 1
New Year’s Day has meant outdoor hockey for National Hockey League fans over the past few years. That tradition began on this date, along with many other great moments that took place outside in the elements. Also, Boston fans have had plenty to cheer about on Jan. 1. It is time for our first trip through the decades of the new year!
The 2014 Rangers-Lightning Blockbuster That Reshaped Both Franchises
Heading into the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline, both the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers found themselves in a great position. The Lightning were near the top of the Atlantic Division despite a gruesome early-season injury to superstar Steven Stamkos, whereas the Rangers were considered to be one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference with their core of elite talent up and down the ice. At the very least, both teams were expected to be buyers at the deadline, as they would be adding depth for a postseason push.
This led them to pull off one of the oddest deadline trades in NHL history. In this deal, the Lightning sent their captain Martin St. Louis to the Rangers for their captain Ryan Callahan, along with a conditional 2014 second-round pick and a 2015 first-rounder. There was also another conditional pick in this deal, where Tampa Bay would send New York an additional 2015 second-rounder and receive a seventh back should they re-sign Callahan to a long-term contract.
While the impact of this trade was immediately felt around the hockey world, it was a multi-faceted deal that influenced the future of both teams for years to come. So, let’s take a look back on this trade and see how it helped to shape the recent history of both the Lightning and Rangers.
The First Jeff Carter Trade Revisited
From Philadelphia to Los Angeles, Jeff Carter’s had a quietly successful career at the NHL level.
He broke into the league at the age of 21 with the Philadelphia Flyers who drafted him 11th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Carter spent six seasons with the Flyers following his debut season scoring 181 goals and 343 points in 461 regular season games. His Flyers went to the playoffs five times in his six years – with Carter contributing 21 points in 47 postseason games with the orange, black and white.
But following the 2010-11 season, the Flyers shipped a 26-year-old Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2011 offseason – a move that would last long for Carter.
Today in Hockey History: Dec. 31
As we get ready to say goodbye to the year and welcome in new beginnings, we will take our daily look back at National Hockey League history. One of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of skates loved playing on this date during his amazing career. Additionally, a historic game was played in Montreal, Alex Ovechkin broke another long-standing record, and some glory days were lived out in Buffalo.
10 NHL Oddities We’ll Never See Again
The saying is that records are meant to be broken, but in certain cases, they simply won’t be broken. Barring radical changes to the playing style and rules of the NHL, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll ever see anything like the below occurrences.
Some relate to scoring, others awards, and a few singular oddball events that are unlikely to be repeated. Let’s get started:
Today in Hockey History: Dec. 30
If you had to construct a Mount Rushmore of the four greatest players in National Hockey League History, many of the most popular choices had big moments on this date. Dec. 30 was also a very eventful evening in Montreal, St. Louis, and Los Angeles. It is time to take our daily trip through decades of hockey lore.
Red Wings’ 25-Year Playoff Streak Ending Revisited
It has been six seasons since the Detroit Red Wings participated in the NHL playoffs. Prior to that, Detroit had 25 consecutive appearances in the postseason, which gave fans a bit of everything from disappointing first-round exits to six appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, resulting in four championships. As the team continues to rebuild, here is a look back at their last playoff appearance in 2016.