It happened 30 years ago to the day, a trade that would change the landscape of at least one franchise, the St. Louis Blues: Brendan Shanahan for Chris Pronger.
One was a fan-favorite, simply known as 'Shanny,' who came into his own after the Blues signed the power-forward to an offer sheet 34 years ago on July 24 from the New Jersey Devils; the other was an unknown commodity at the time, only known as the No. 2 overall pick of the 1993 NHL Draft by the Hartford Whalers oozing with potential.
At the time, 'Iron' Mike Keenan was the general manager/coach of the Blues, who at the time became public enemy No. 1 in St. Louis after this trade, but in the end, even after Shanahan left St. Louis unwillingly, after winning three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, Pronger turned into a cornerstone defenseman over the course of his nine seasons with the Blues (1995-2004); Hart and Norris Trophy winner in 2000, four of his five All-Star appearances while a member of the Blues, NHL first All-Star team (2000), two of his three second All-Star nominations (1998, 2004), won first of two Olympic gold medals with Canada (2002), World Championship winner (1997) and ultimately, Hockey Hall of Famer and part of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players.
And since 2022, Pronger's No. 44 jersey hangs in the rafters of Enterprise Center:
So, do you remember one of the most influential trades in NHL history? What do you remember about it then? What was your opinion of it at the time? What was your opinion of it when all was said and done? Comment below.