By now, you’ve likely seen our countdown of former Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland’s most regrettable trades. But as we also counted down his worst moves, we’ve also highlighted his best moves during his time here.
Let’s take a look back at the best trades that he made while GM of the Red Wings, starting with a seemingly insignificant trade that would turn out to have a big effect on the future.
Trading D Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2002 2nd round draft selection (Jiri Hudler)
Disgruntled defenseman Aaron Ward was a part of both the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup winning teams, but had fallen out of favor with head coach Scotty Bowman and wanted out. Holland obliged by sending Ward to Carolina in exchange for a 2nd round draft pick in the 2002 Draft. Ironically, Ward and the Hurricanes would face the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals that season.
The draft pick they received from the Hurricanes would turn into forward Jiri Hudler, who became a consistent forward for Detroit and helped them to the 2008 Stanley Cup championship as well as the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, scoring several big goals in the process.
