Throwback Thursday: The Blues’ five most controversial trade decisions

The St. Louis Blues stood pat at this year’s trade deadline. There was no Mike Hoffman or Vince Dunn trade. This was thanks to the fact that the Blues have been putting forth solid effort in their recent games.

Not every trade deadline is a quiet one. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look back at the Blues’ five most controversial trade decisions. You might remember - or even be mad about - one, two or maybe even all five of them.

5. Rod Brind’Amour and Dan Quinn to the Philadelphia Flyers for Murray Barron and Ron Sutter
Rod Brind’Amour was best known for working out, hence his nickname “Rod the Bod.”

After his college career at Michigan State University, Brind’Amour was drafted ninth overall by the Blues in the 1988 NHL Draft. He made his debut in Game 5 of the Blues’ division semifinals against the Minnesota North Stars, and scored a goal on his first shot.

Brind’Amour’s first full season was between 1989-90. He scored 27 points in the first 24 games, finished third on the roster with 26 goals, and was selected to the 1989-90 All-Rookie Team.

After the 1990-91 season, Brind’Amour and Dan Quinn were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Murray Barron and Ron Sutter. In Philadelphia, Brind’Amour was an alternate captain to Kevin Dineen and a fill-in captain for Eric Lindros. From there, Brind-Amour established his reputation as one of the best shutdown centers in the NHL.

4. Joe Mullen, Terry Johnson, and Rick Wilson to the Calgary Flames for Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois, and Gino Cavallini
Joe Mullen was a future Hall of Famer and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. The Blues just didn’t see his potential.

In 1986, St. Louis traded Joe Mullen, Terry Johnson, and Rick Wilson to Calgary in exchange for Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois, and Gino Cavallini. Mullen put a spark in the Flames’ depleted offense, scoring a personal-best 47 goals in his first full year as a Flame in 1986-87. Mullen would go on to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy twice, awarded the NHL’s Most Gentlemanly Player. He also helped the Flames win their only franchise Stanley Cup in 1989.

3. Ben Bishop to the Ottawa Senators for a second round pick (later Thomas Vannelli)
Let’s face it, Ben Bishop is an All-Star goaltender and possibly a future Hall of Fame goaltender. But the Blues traded Bishop to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

While Bishop didn’t become a household name in Ottawa, he went above and beyond in Tampa Bay by making saves, recording shutouts, and setting records. At the time, St. Louis might’ve thought they made the right choice since they already had Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott, and Jake Allen. But for some reason, the players who get traded away, end up achieving success.

2. Adam Oates to the Boston Bruins for Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal
After signing a four-year, $3 million contract extension with the Blues, Adam Oates wanted more money on his next agreement after seeing recent hefty deals signed by Brendan Shanahan, Garth Butcher, and Ron Sutter. Oates reportedly felt like he was an underpaid center.

Oates felt that he was underpaid as he played alongside Brett Hull in the Blues’ first line. They were arguably the best duo in Blues’ history, but the Blues broke them up and traded Oates to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal.

1. Chris Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers for Eric Brewer, Jeff Woywitka, and Doug Lynch
Remember Chris Pronger?

Chris Pronger was an NHL All-Star and a Team Canada regular. Although he appeared in just 51 games during the 2000-01 season, he scored 47 points, which was great. After he recovered from injuries that left him sidelined for most of the 2002-2003 season, he bounced back in a big way. In the end, St. Louis’ owner Bill Laurie wanted to cut players’ salaries in an attempt to sell the team — and Pronger was traded to the Oilers for Eric Brewer, Jeff Woywitka, and Doug Lynch.

The Pronger trade angered Blues fans then, and it still angers them now.