Marcel Dionne #16 of the New York Rangers skates(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
On this date in 1987, the New York Rangers traded Bobby Carpenter to the Los Angeles Kings for future Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne. Phil Esposito made the deal less than ten weeks after acquiring Carpenter from the Washington Capitals. Why make the trade? It was a misguided attempt to fix a mistake.
On New Year’s Day, Esposito traded for Carpenter, sending the Caps forwards Mike Ridley, Kelly Miller and Bob Crawford in exchange for Carpenter and a second round draft pick.