All-Time Great Player’s “One and Done” Teams

So for this, I went back to 2017 when the NHL named its “100 Greatest Players” for its 100th year. I know it’s eight years old and there will certainly be some changes if it were to be redone to include some other players, but I thought it was a cool thing and a neat celebration of the game.

While I was looking at the list, and with the NHL trade deadline not long past, I got to thinking: who among those listed had a year or less on a team? A sort of “One and Done” type deal if you will.

We all know certain teams have a history of g big name players late in the season for a big push when their current contract is near its end, or teams in a similar position g an aging star for a single year at a discounted price in the hopes that there is some gas in the tank.

Let’s take a look at some of these players, the latest 25 to be exact (mostly because amino only allows 25 pictures to a post). As well, if a player has had more than one “one and done” I’ll be picking the team where the player has played the fewest games total (regular season and playoff).

Quick note, they are organized by when the player started their NHL career, not the year in which the season itself occurred. Going along with it, it is the 25 most recent players on that list. Hope that makes sense.

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Börje Salming

Year: 1989-1990

Team: Detroit Red Wings

Total GP: 49

Total Points: 19

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: Primarily known for his time with Toronto, Salming signed with Detroit as a free agent and played just one year, working to get 19 points in 49 games in his last year in the NHL. A nice Sean song to a great career, Salming retired after this year and called it a career.

2. Wayne Gretzky

Year: 1995-1996

Team: St.Louis Blues

Total GP: 31

Total Points: 37

Reason for Going There: Help with Playoff Run

Note: Traded from Los Angeles mid way through the season, Gretzky was added to the Blues in the hopes he had help with a deep playoff run. While in the latter bit of his career, the guy still put up 21 points in 18 games, as well as 16 points in 13 playoff games, despite some locker drama with coach Mike Keenan, which ended up being the reason Gretzky left in the offseason. Still, with Gretzky’s help, the Blue were a game away from eliminating a powerhouse Detroit team, fighting back from a 2-0 series deficit thanks in large part to Wayne’s clutch performance and even going up 3-2 in the series before Detroit was forced to tighten up.

3. Jari Kurri

Year: 1995-1996

Team: New York Rangers

Total GP: 25

Total Points: 13

Reason for Going There: Help with Playoff Run

Note: This was a bad year for the Kings as Kurri and Gretzky were both gone in the same year…wild. Kurri was in the twilight years of his career but still had talent and was dealt to the Rangers in hopes that he might help with a deep playoff run. While his regular season numbers weren’t great (5 points in 14 games), he did help in the playoffs, ed 8 points in 11 games. Sadly, his time was short as Kurri left and played a season in Anaheim and one in Colorado before retiring. While still dangerous, Kurri was a far cry from his 80’s self, which the same could be said for our next entry, a man Kurri knew quite well…

4. Paul Coffey

Year: 1998-1999

Team: Chicago Blackhawks

Total GP: 10

Total Points: 4

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: One of the greatest defencemen in NHL history had a super weird end to his career. After a half a year with the Whalers, followed by a year and half with the Flyers, Paul Coffey was picked up by the Blackhawks prior to the 1998-99 season but played only 10 games, his shortest stint. After tallying four assists, he was traded to Carolina. Yeah, this is one of those ends to a career you don’t love to see as Coffey was left being ed around from team to team.

5. Grant Fuhr

Year: 1994-1995

Team: Los Angeles Kings

Total GP: 14

Record: 1-7-3

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: Man, this list is just filled with former Oilers. Fuhr, after some successful years in Toronto and Buffalo post Edmonton, Fuhr was reunited with Gretzky for the 1994-95 season in LA. Playing in 14 games, going 1-7-3 with some less than stellar numbers, Fuhr left after just a season and signed with the Blues, where he had a career renaissance.

6. Ron Francis

Year: 2003-2004

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Total GP: 24

Total Points: 14

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g/Help with Playoff Run

Note: One of the most underrated hockey players ever, Ron Francis is 5th all time in points. Let that sink in. However, most of those points had been gotten by the time Francis landed in Toronto for his final run being traded there for the final 12 games of the season. In those 12 games, Francis managed 3 goals and 7 assists, very respectable and added 4 helpers in 12 playoff games. A nice way to go out after a wonderful career.

7. Scott Stevens

Year: 1990-1991

Team: St.Louis Blues

Total GP: 91

Total Points: 52

Reason for Going There: Change of Scenery

Note: Before the days of terror in New Jersey, Stevens spent a single year in St.Louis where he was named Captain and had a decent enough season (5 goals and 44 assists). Not a whole lot to say really other than this was smack dab in the middle of Stevens career and it was the result of Stevens simply wanting a change of scenery from Washington before being arbitrated to New Jersey after one year (look it up, it’s a whole thing).

8. Pat LaFontaine

Year: 1997-1998

Team: New York Rangers

Total GP: 67

Total Points: 62

Reason for Going There: Dispute with former team

Note: This one is kind of sad actually. A career hampered by concussions, LaFontaine was traded to New York after a dispute with Buffalo Sabres management and his wanting to play despite not being cleared. LaFontaine put up 23 goals and 39 assists in his final, and only, year with New York before more injuries, again concussions, forced him to retire. A dynamic player that never really got a proper send off.

9. Chris Chelios

Year: 2009-2010

Team: Atlanta Thrashers

Total GP: 7

Total Points: 0

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: Chris Chelios played until he was 48 years old. Yes, that is not a typo. Amid some tryout contracts with AHL teams, Chelios played 7 games for the Atlanta Thrashers in his final NHL season. Though he didn’t a point and was sent back to the AHL, it’s still crazy to think that Chelios played at that level for that long. I actually watching this as a kid and wondering who he was.

10. Adam Oates

Year: 2001-2002

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

Total GP: 19

Total Points: 12

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g/Help with Playoff Run

Note: Another accomplished star, Oates was on the tail end of his career when he was traded mid season from Washington to Philadelphia in hopes he would help with their playoff hopes. While he helped out in the 14 regular season games, adding 3 goals and 7 assists, Oates and the Flyers were upset by the Sens in the first round in 5, with Oates only ing 2 assists. The Flyers didn’t offer him a new contract and Oates moved on to have two more seasons with two more teams, the Ducks and the Oilers. While at the end of his career, Oates still had value it seemed.

11. Luc Robitaille

Year: 1994-1995

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Total GP: 58

Total Points: 53

Reason for Going There: Strengthen Team

Note: Kind of a weird one has Robitaille, a legend for Wings and Kings fans, was in the middle of his career and still producing fairly well. In a trade, Luc was dealt with Pittsburgh for the shortened 1994-95 season in an apparent bid to strengthen the Penguins. While not his former self, Robitaille still put up 23 goals and 19 assists in 46 games in the regular season and added 11 points (7 goals, 4 helpers) in 12 playoff games. But apparently that wasn’t good enough for Pittsburgh as he was traded to New York in the offseason. Robitaille would have better seasons following this but just kind of weird considering he was more or less in his prime and healthy from what I can see.

12. Joe Nieuwendyk

Year: 2003-2004

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Total GP: 73

Total Points: 56

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g/Help with Playoff Run

Note: The Leafs signed Nieuwendyk in a season where they seemed to loading up with older stars (see Ron Francis above and Brian Leetch below). While Joe was still an offensive threat, the guy had 50 points (22 G, 28 A), his season was shortened due to some injuries. Despite scoring six goals in nine playoff games, Joe also missed some games in the playoffs as well. After no season in 2004-05, Joe would go on to have a final two seasons with the Panthers before hanging up his skates.

13. Brett Hull

Year: 2005-2006

Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Total GP: 5

Total Points: 1

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: One of the greatest goal scorers of all time, Brett Hull had sort of a sad end. After g a two year deal with Phoenix, the first year was wiped out by the lockout 2004-05 season, Hull played 5 games with the Coyotes, realized he couldn’t perform at his self expected high level, and retired in October. Credit to him for itting when it was time to give it up, though I feel for the Coyotes.

14. Brian Leetch

Year: 2003-2004

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Total GP: 28

Total Points: 23

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g/Help with Playoff Run

Note: After an especially poor Rangers season in 2003-04, Brian Leetch was traded at the deadline to Toronto in hopes he would help the team with a deep playoff run. While nearing the end of his impressive career, Leetch still put up 15 points in the regular season and 8 in the postseason in a bid to help the Leafs Legend team get a cup. This failed however and Leetch, after the lockout season, signed with the Bruins for his last season.

15. Mike Modano

Year: 2010-2011

Team: Detroit Red Wings

Total GP: 42

Total Points: 16

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: After a legendary career to Minnesota and Dallas, Mike Modano, rather than retire, signed a one year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. While clearly at the end of his career, Modano still had a little gas left in the tank, however his time in Detroit was soured by coach Mike Babcock who healthy scratched him, robbing him of 1500 career games. Modano would retire after this season and I can’t blame him.

16. Mats Sundin

Year: 2008-2009

Team: Vancouver Canucks

Total GP: 49

Total Points: 36

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: After holding out for half a season after not reg with Toronto, Mats Sundin signed a one year deal with the Vancouver Canucks in 2008-09. While not exactly the same player that had come to own just about every scoring record for the Leafs, Sundin held his own, helping the Canucks into the playoffs. Recording 8 points in 8 games before being eliminated and retiring prior to the beginning of the next season.

17. Jaromír Jágr

Year: 2017-2018

Team: Calgary Flames

Total GP: 22

Total Points: 7

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: One of my favourite players, who is still playing pro, Jágr had an amazing career which was unfortunately was called by injuries and age. After g a one year deal with the Flames, Jágr was limited to just 22 games before being placed on IR, then waivers, then cleared, bringing to an end a great NHL career. While Jágr unfortunately bounced around and had a few solo seasons near his end (Philadelphia, Dallas, and Boston, the later of which he played fewer regular season games but more total games as the Bruins went into the finals that year), it was unfortunate Jágr had to call it quick’s but to be fair, the guy had played 28 years pro by that point.

18. Dominik Hašek

Year: 2005-2006

Team: Ottawa Senators

Total GP: 43

Record: 28-10-4

Reason for Going There: Help with Playoff Run

Note: Super weird one here. Dominik Hasek, while nearing the end of his career, signed a one year deal with Ottawa as he believed them to be a contender. Hasek played great for the first half of the season, not showing his age at all. However the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin were where things took a terrible turn as first, Hasek’s gear was left in Ottawa, causing Hasek to miss practice before Hasek suffered a season ending injury in his teams first qualifying game. After the season, Hasek was not resigned and he returned to Detroit. Kind of weird turn of events as with Hasek playing as well as he was, it’s very possible we may have seen Ottawa win a Stanley cup.

19. Martin Brodeur

Year: 2014-2015

Team: St.Louis Blues

Total GP: 7

Record: 3-3-0

Reason for Going There: Twilight Years g

Note: After a legendary career in New Jersey, capturing a ton of goalie records, Martin Brodeur signed a one year deal with the St.Louis Blues. While super strange to see Brodeur in a blue uniform, it was nice to see him want to continue playing. However after starter Brian Elliot returned from injury and Brodeur was regulated to a third string goalie before he and Jake Allen, Brodeur called game and hung up the pads. Fun fact, his final win was a shutout.

20. Teemu Selänne

Year: 2003-2004

Team: Colorado Avalanche

Total GP: 88

Total Points: 35

Reason for Going There: Help with Playoff Run

Note: Yeah, this one is super weird. After blocking a trade to New Jersey from San Jose the previous season, Teemu decided to sign in Colorado with former teammate Paul Kariya in hopes of winning a Stanley Cup. However, due to knee problems, Teemu had a less than stellar season, only notching 16 goals and 32 points while also being scratched for a playoff game. After knee surgery and the lockout season, Selänne opted to return to Anaheim. Just kind of a forgettable run.

21. Eric Lindros

Year: 2005-2006

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Total GP: 33

Total Points: 22

Reason for Going There: Help for Playoff Run

Note: Oh, Eric, if only you hadn’t been hit in the head so much. Lindros signed a one year deal with the Leafs following the 2004-05 lockout and started strong, scoring 22 points in 30 games before injuring his wrist. After a brief return, Lindros reinjured his wrist and finished him off for the season. Also didn’t help that this move was made to help the Leafs continue their good playoff runs and this was the start of the years where the Leafa did not make the playoffs. Lindros signed with Dallas the following season and had a little better luck injury wise. Sad to see such a dominant player have his career cut short by so many injuries.

22. Chris Pronger

Year: 2005-2006

Team: Edmonton Oilers

Total GP: 104

Total Points: 77

Reason for Going There: Free Up Cap Space on Old Team

Note: This is probably one of the stronger single runs with a team. After being traded from St.Louis to free up cap space, Pronger signed a five year deal post the trade in the lockout. Pronger, who was still a dominant defenceman, continued his strong play in the season and then went on a tear with the underdog Oilers in the playoffs, getting 21 points and being in talks as a potential Conn Smythe winner despite losing in the Stanley Cup final. However, weirdly enough, Pronger requested a trade in the offseason and was shipped to Anaheim. Media sources say it was because of his wife disliking Edmonton but who can say for sure? (It was definitely that).

23. Peter Forsberg

Year: 2006-2007

Team: Nashville Predators

Total GP: 22

Total Points: 19

Reason for Going There: Help for Playoff Run

Note: Just such an odd visual, Forsberg in anything but an Avs jersey. But here we are. After a brief stint in Philadelphia that saw Peter become team captain, Forsberg was dealt to Nashville at the 2006-07 trade deadline to help ready them for the playoffs. Despite only playing 22 games total for Nashville, the aging Forsberg still mustered 19 points despite battling a foot injury that would need later surgery. While it was near Forsberg’s retirement and a long career was beginning to show, Peter the Great was still far from useless.

24. Duncan Keith

Year: 2021-2022

Team: Edmonton Oilers

Total GP: 80

Total Points: 26

Reason for Going There: Requested to Go

Note: After 16 years as arguably the greatest Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, Duncan Keith landed in Edmonton in the offseason before the 2021-22 season at his request to go to that general area. Maybe he wasn’t the same elite d-man as ten years before, but Keith put up respectable numbers and helped the Oilers go all the way to the West Final. More importantly, he mentored a young Evan Bouchard. And rather than continue on and ruin his own legacy, Duncan Keith announced his retirement following his sole season with Edmonton.

25. Patrick Kane

Year: 2022-2023

Team: New York Rangers

Total GP: 26

Total Points: 18

Reason for Going There: Old Team Rebuild/Help with Playoff Run

Note: With the Blackhawks about to undergo a rebuild, Patrick Kane was traded to the Rangers during the 2023 trade deadline in hopes that he would bring them to the promised land after a strong run the year before. While Kane put up decent numbers in the regular season games and the playoff first round loss to the Devils…yeah, that one hurts still. I don’t blame Kane, who has since had a resurgence since ing Detroit, but for a team that was stacked with some real good players, the Rangers really dropped the ball with Kane I think.

Conclusion

Kind of a fun little post I think. Pretty cool to see some of the greats in settings where they didn’t necessarily make their name, but places where that reputation got them. While there were exceptions, most of these guys were signed or traded for nearer to the late stages of their career with results varying. Just goes to show that even the greatest aren’t safe from either age or the pull of money. One thing I did notice was that none of these guys actually won the Stanley Cup in their respective years, despite a few close calls.

Hope you guys enjoyed!