Back in 1991, the Penguins drafted a promising young Swedish forward named Markus Naslund. The youngster had all the tools…wheels, playmaking ability and a sizzling shot.
Following a difficult start to his NHL career, Naslund tore out of the starting blocks in 1995-96 while skating on a line with Mario Lemieux. When he cooled, then-Pens coach Eddie Johnston yanked him off the top line and consigned him to the bottom six. The kid lost confidence.
Weeks later, the Pens peddled him to Vancouver for power forward Alek Stojanov. Naslund went on to score 395 goals over an exemplary 15-season NHL career…Stojanov two.