Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Worst Trades in Franchise History

Feb 6, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres (47) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason, it’s hard to analyze and interpret games when they are not happening. This leads to a lot of time to reflect on the year that was, ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and the one main point of contention of which Pittsburgh Penguins fans most agree.

The highly criticized and often lamented trade of Simon Despres to the Ducks for Ben Lovejoy was just this.

Seemingly universally panned as an awful trade from the deadline on, it has given fans the time to look back and say what if, why, or huh? That wily old trader Jim, while he may have been swindled in this deal, one trade a legacy does not make. Rutherford has the chance to fleece another GM this offseason and rebuild the Pens on the fly. Because we all have to remember, however bad that deal may look, it doesn’t come close to cracking the top five of worst trades in Penguin history.