The other obvious reason for the trade was the chance to place the game’s greatest playmaker on a line with one of the grandest pure goal scorers in Brett Hull. Louis’ version of Gretzky and Kurri in Edmonton (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) Or so general manager and head coach “Iron Mike” Keenan believed at the time.īrett Hull and Wayne Gretzky were to be St. Gretzky was the player who would get them over the hump. The deal was made in order to give the Blues that final push needed to win the Stanley Cup. Neither Hogan nor Zultek ever played a game in the NHL. They also included their 5th round pick in the 1996 draft (Peter Hogan) and their 1st round pick in the 1997 draft (Matt Zultek) as part of the deal. Louis shipped forwards Craig Johnson, Roman Vopat, and Patrice Tardif to the Los Angeles Kings to obtain Gretzky. The Blues obtained Gretzky for next to nothing. And that is what makes Gretzky’s 1995-96 season one for the ages. One could make the argument that every season of Gretzky’s career was important and unique but there is something particular about his time with the 1995-96 Blues that contributed noteworthy moments to “The Great One’s” career. What fans and historians of the game need to realize is that this particular juncture in Gretzky’s career holds a lot of hidden gems and interesting tidbits. Just 18 regular-season games with “The Great One” wearing the blue note, plus 13 more in the playoffs.
That stems mainly from the fact that his stay in St. Wayne Gretzky’s time with the Blues is likely the least talked about time of his career. But for some reason, it didn’t quite work. One that endeavored to squeeze whatever elixir was still left in the proverbial fountain of youth. Louis Blues were a collection of hockey’s aged superstars. Originally written by former contributor Nathaniel Oliver.
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