And I Couldn't Agree More

by Quisp on Feb 3, 2010 1:56 PM PST in History Comment 6 comments

TSN has a great top-ten list today. "Top ten players traded for Olli Jokinen." Sounds like a Letterman list. But since the top two players are the ones the Kings got in the '99 trade, I have to agree. Easily, if you ask me, one of the most important trades in Kings history.

The Hockey News -- THN.com Top 10: Players traded for Olli Jokinen

2. Bryan Smolinski, to Los Angeles from the Islanders – June 19, 1999 The well-traveled center played for eight teams in 15 seasons. The first two seasons with the Kings after being moved for Jokinen were two of his best, scoring a total of 47 goals and 115 points.

1. Ziggy Palffy, to Los Angeles from the NY Islanders – June 19, 1999 The nifty right winger is still around, in Europe, anyway (he’ll be at the Olympics playing for Slovakia), and was already a three-time 40-goal scorer when he was the centerpiece of the first trade Jokinen was involved in. He went on to score 150 goals and 340 points in 311 games for Los Angeles.

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It's too bad ...

… The Kings were forced to trade Jokinen in that deal. I think the NHL stepped in and forced them to do it, if I remember correctly. I think it was originally Green, Biron, and the 1st for Palffy, Smolinski, and Cousineau.

by JT_Dutch on Feb 3, 2010 1:58 PM PST reply actions

That is my memory also.

Wait till this year.

by Quisp on Feb 3, 2010 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

Good memory, JT. I had totally forgotten about that until you mentioned the forced inclusion of OJ to the Isles.

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 3, 2010 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

In retrospect, it does suck that Jokinen got away

But at the time, he was very much underperforming for someone who was picked so high.

Smolinski was one of those guys you didn’t always notice when he was here, but you definitely noticed his absence. Not always appreciated as much as he deserved.

by DougX on Feb 3, 2010 3:35 PM PST reply actions