in light of rays diligent trade reporting…i never even knew that gretz played for st. louis….
just to note…i had NO tv for the 8 years i spent in GFP
St. Louis Blues (1996)
On February 27, 1996, Gretzky joined the St. Louis Blues in a trade for Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, Craig Johnson, and two draft picks.[57] He partially orchestrated the trade after reports that he was unhappy in Los Angeles surfaced.[80] At the time of the trade, the Blues and New York Rangers emerged as front-runners, but the Blues met his salary demands.[81] Gretzky was immediately named the team’s captain. He scored 37 points in 31 games for the team in the regular season and the playoffs,[57] and the Blues came within one game of the Conference Finals.[82] However, the chemistry that everyone expected with winger Brett Hull never developed, and coach Mike Keenan publicly criticized him.[83] Gretzky rejected a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Blues, and on July 22, he signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier for a two-year $8 million (plus incentives) contract.[84]
