Backstrom was not traded for the pick that was used for Lafleur. Backstrom was traded for a couple of players who never suited up for the Canadians and a 2nd round pick. Backstrom played well enough for the Kings to keep them from getting the number 1 pick. That pick went to the Seals who had previously swapped number 1 picks with Montreal.
what Pollock did was trade Backstrom to LA to ensure the Kings would finish ahead of the Seals in the standings, therefore giving the Habs the 1st overall pick which they had previously acquired from the Seals for Ernie Hicke. These were the days of rookie GM's and Pollock took advantage of most of them, much to my dismay.
I was lucky enough to spend a bit of time speaking to Sam Pollock. He told me being successful was a matter of crafting the environment as much as you can to give you the best chance possible. I think the Backstrom trade is a great example. Also I love the shirts and ties from the 70s, we were still trying to hold on to groovy.
Let's all thank Ralph Backstrom for wanting to move to a warmer climate and for the LA Kings for getting rid of their first pick on a 33 year old player.
Who the hell trades the 1st overall pick (Lafleur) for an overaged washed up player? Pollock was good but man why would another GM gift the Habs the 1st overall pick??
the habs had acquired the 1 pick from the seals long before the backstrom trade....backstrom was traded to La because he was riding the bench in montreal in a supremely talented club. happily, he got his second wind in LA and prevented them from finishing last and claiming the first pick. that was luck on montreals part
the expansion teams were trying to stock their teams with veterans so they could sell seats and be somewhat competitive. Those GMs, aside from St. Louis and Philly, were easy marks for Pollock.
Sam Pollock was a hell of a GM, able to get the first pick that year after winning the Stanley Cup.
Backstrom was not traded for the pick that was used for Lafleur. Backstrom was traded for a couple of players who never suited up for the Canadians and a 2nd round pick. Backstrom played well enough for the Kings to keep them from getting the number 1 pick. That pick went to the Seals who had previously swapped number 1 picks with Montreal.
what Pollock did was trade Backstrom to LA to ensure the Kings would finish ahead of the Seals in the standings, therefore giving the Habs the 1st overall pick which they had previously acquired from the Seals for Ernie Hicke. These were the days of rookie GM's and Pollock took advantage of most of them, much to my dismay.
I was lucky enough to spend a bit of time speaking to Sam Pollock. He told me being successful was a matter of crafting the environment as much as you can to give you the best chance possible. I think the Backstrom trade is a great example.
Also I love the shirts and ties from the 70s, we were still trying to hold on to groovy.
Amazing how they - management and players - spoke and conducted themselves properly back then vs today……
June 10th wow. I was born on the 26th of May, just days old. I remember when he retired in 1984 the first time. Heartbreaking.
Big big moment in hockey history
Nothing will ever be as big as John Tavares signing as a free agent with the Maple Leafs 😂
@@jkapozelewksi ?
@@jkapozelewksithat sarcasm, right?
They had a crazy number of first round draft picks in the early 1970s.
Both Lafleur and Backstrom are now in the big hockey arena in the sky.
I'd say Montreal was adequately compensated.
One of the biggest "robbery" in NHL history. R.I.P Guy.........
Marcel Dionne said something happened in the deal but has always refused to say what it is. Maybe I misremember.
The Kings pick belonged to Boston so he was also screwing the Bruins. That's how smart he was.
Let's all thank Ralph Backstrom for wanting to move to a warmer climate and for the LA Kings for getting rid of their first pick on a 33 year old player.
Wrong read above.
Who the hell trades the 1st overall pick (Lafleur) for an overaged washed up player? Pollock was good but man why would another GM gift the Habs the 1st overall pick??
Canadiens received the first round pick from the Seals not the Kings.
the habs had acquired the 1 pick from the seals long before the backstrom trade....backstrom was traded to La because he was riding the bench in montreal in a supremely talented club. happily, he got his second wind in LA and prevented them from finishing last and claiming the first pick. that was luck on montreals part
the expansion teams were trying to stock their teams with veterans so they could sell seats and be somewhat competitive. Those GMs, aside from St. Louis and Philly, were easy marks for Pollock.
@@brucemorton7787St.Louis had Sam's protégé Scotty ...( both from mtl ) ...who wouldn't be fooled by his mentor.
@@Thomas-lg6jx yep... I know the history.... Montreal made a huge mistake bypassing Bowman when Pollock retired a few years later.
Kings had to finish ahead of Seals so Backstrom was traded to them so Canadiens could get Seals draft pick.🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒