Apr 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings stand during the National Anthem before the start of the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
- March 20, 1996 (The Pittsburgh Penguins trade Markus Naslund to the Vancouver Canucks for Alex Stojanov)
1996, we meet again. How in the world did Craig Patrick keep his job after this terrible four month stretch from March to June, 1996? Exit Markus Naslund and Sergei Zubov enter Kevin Hatcher and Alex Stojanov, it makes Pittsburgh Penguins fans sick to their stomach to even think what could have been
Entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Pens, Naslund was just beginning to establish himself as an NHL player with 19 goals in his 66 games in 95-96 after splitting time between the NHL and AHL in the prior two seasons. However, as the 96 trade deadline neared, Naslund’s production had begun to fall off and he had even watched some games from the press box.
Naslund would go on to score over 350 goals and 800 points after the trade and become one of the most reviled players in Vancouver Canuck history. Stojanov, there is not really much to say about his two season Penguin cameo. He scored 6 points and never played another minute in the NHL after 1997. His career highlight being a fight in juniors with Eric Lindros. Naslund on the other hand would be a three time First-Team NHL, five time all-star and 2003 Hart Trophy finalist.