The early 2000s for the New Jersey Devils were some of the best years for the organization and fan base. They won two cups in 1999-00 and 2002-03, and while trying to win another, GM Lou Lamoriello was prepared to do just about anything.
According to reports from the NY Post in 2005, the Devils and Detroit Red Wings were working on a blockbuster one-for-one deal that would have drastically changed both organizations.
The reported deal was the Devils trading 26-year-old forward Scott Gomez to the Red Wings for 26-year-old Pavel Datsyuk.
Luke’s goal last night very reminiscent of Scott Niedermayer in Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, as many have mentioned.
It also reminds us of this one by Scott Gomez on April 9, 2006 during the #NJDevils 11-game win streak. pic.twitter.com/N2jTWRzpbG
— Devils Insiders (@DevilsInsiders) December 28, 2023
There aren’t many details that discuss other pieces that would have been included in the deal. However, one would think that this deal would be larger than just one-for-one.
If this deal went through, who knows what would have happened.
The Devils could have hoisted another Cup after the 2004-05 NHL lockout with the addition of Datsyuk.
I could watch old Pavel Datsyuk highlights all day long. What an incredible player. The laugh in the first clip is very fitting because this entire reel is hilarious pic.twitter.com/I7RGIH7yeM
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 12, 2020
Datsyuk ended his career with 918 points in 953 games and quickly became known as one of the best dekers in NHL history. As for Gomez, he had 756 points in 1079 games.
The NY Post suggested that the trade talks weren’t believed to be overly serious. However, there isn’t a concrete reason as to why this trade didn’t cross the finish line. Which makes this one of the biggest “what ifs” in Devils’ history.
Related: How the Devils Landed Niedermayer in 1991 Trade with the Maple Leafs
Related: Revisiting the Devils Acquiring Dougie Gilmour From the Maple Leafs
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