So, why did Gretzky leave St.Louis in 1996?

[The Panther]

I've never really understood this. The Blues, as far as I know, wanted to keep Gretzky heading into 1996-97. St.Louis had had a very nice playoff showing in '96, taking down Toronto and then being one shot away from eliminating 1st-overall Detroit despite starting their back-up goaltender (thanks, Kypreos). Even though the much hyped Gretzky-Hull combo hadn't exactly set the world on fire, they hadn't been that bad either and had been heating up as the playoffs rolled along (final two games vs. Detroit being the exception).

A couple of factors make me more surprised that Gretzky bolted: (1) the Blues had and were retaining a lot of his buddies -- Brett Hull, Shayne Corson (from Brantford, knew Wayne's family), Al MacInnis (teammates on All Star teams and Canada Cup '91), Geoff Courtnall (teammates back in '88), Craig MacTavish (teammates 1985 to 1988), and of course Grant Fuhr; and (2) Gretzky's wife is from the St.Louis area, making it seemingly a perfect place to settle in for a few years as Wayne headed toward retirement.

When Gretzky went to New York, he had to take a large pay-cut, which presumably he wouldn't have done in St.Louis.

So, why? The only explanation I've heard is from, I think, Chris Pronger (a young player then), who claims that Keenan decided to rip into Gretzky in front of the whole team one intermission during a bad loss.

I mean, certainly Keenan was a loose cannon and Brett Hull already had it in for him, which might have influenced Wayne, but Gretzky had already played quite well and seemingly happily for Keenan on two Canada Cup-winning teams. By which I mean that I think Gretzky knew what he was getting into, no surprises.

So, yeah, thinking about it now I'm actually not aware of why Gretzky wanted to leave St.Louis.

Click to read more...

 

[VanIslander]

Lol.

I was 27 years old and finishing grad school in 1996 and believe me NO ONE i knew was surprised, because he was NEVER EXPECTED to stay in St. Louis.

The media constantly speculated on the Blues as a stopover/segue point, "a pit stop", not a final destination.

When they lost the series, we knew what was coming next (buh-bye).

Gretzky was traded to the city and left four months later! He didn't really leave because he never moved his home there. He was a playoff rental. Full stop.

 

[Dallas Winston]

Scared of Mario after his 5 goal game

 

[The Panther]

Lol.

I was 27 years old and finishing grad school in 1996 and believe me NO ONE i knew was surprised, because he was NEVER EXPECTED to stay in St. Louis.

The media constantly speculated on the Blues as a stopover/segue point, "a pit stop", not a final destination.

When they lost the series, we knew what was coming next (buh-bye).

Gretzky was traded to the city and left four months later! He didn't really leave because he never moved his home there. He was a playoff rental. Full stop.

You may be right, but that wasn't what I was hearing at the time. I heard that Gretzky was getting seriously shopped around in October/November 1995, and he was fully expected to be traded -- possibly to St.Louis -- that early in the season. That would not have been a 'rental' situation.

I also didn't have the impression that he was ever that keen on going to New York, though in the end he has said all good things...

 

[kaiser matias]

From what I remember from the 2000 book Keenan The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach by Jeff Gordon, Gretzky was ready to re-sign with the Blues, and enjoyed his time there. However as noted, I think it was after a particular loss that Keenan ripped into Gretzky, and that changed Gretzky's mind, in that he didn't want to deal with that at this point, and looked for other options.

 

[VanIslander]

I also didn't have the impression that he was ever that keen on going to New York, though in the end he has said all good things...

Indeed.

But that's an entirely separate issue.

 

[Pominville Knows]

Amongst other things this was not that far removed from 1994, and if Messier could go there and win then why not try and do the same?
Perhaps he was also still sentimental from the 1988 trade and wanted to undo it some by going where another number of his old Oilers teammates had departed, perhaps even those who had then moved on from there since the 1994 win. After all, surely Gretzky had noticed them winning in New York.
Also Robitaille i guess although their on ice differences was well known to him by then, but if nothing else all this might have given him a feeling that a cup final was very possible.

Panther, who were Gretzky's best friends on the Oilers and Kings? Especially those who was on the Blues and Rangers at the time.

 

[The Panther]

Amongst other things this was not that far removed from 1994, and if Messier could go there and win then why not try and do the same?

I'm sure you are correct about the Rangers' 1994 win. I'm certain that was the "final straw" moment for Wayne in L.A. You know, it would have been hard for him to watch his buddies win the Cup in 1990 (during a season when L.A. had been sub.-.500), but being close as he was in '93 and then seeing Messier (also Anderson, MacTavish, Beukeboom, Lowe) win it all in '94 must have made him think he was in the grass on the wrong side of the fence.

 

[member 83027]

Lol.

I was 27 years old and finishing grad school in 1996 and believe me NO ONE i knew was surprised, because he was NEVER EXPECTED to stay in St. Louis.

The media constantly speculated on the Blues as a stopover/segue point, "a pit stop", not a final destination.

When they lost the series, we knew what was coming next (buh-bye).

Gretzky was traded to the city and left four months later! He didn't really leave because he never moved his home there. He was a playoff rental. Full stop.

You may be right.

But then again they are dead wrong.

 

[VanIslander]

But then again they are dead wrong.

Lol. A bald assertion by a Blues fan.

Gretzky was unhappy with the Kings in 95-96 and his good off-season friend Brett Hull knew it and shared the same agent as Gretz, telling his agent to stay close to L.A. that season anticipating a possible trade, that indeed happened, the agent being johnny on the spot.

When Gretzky was traded to St. Louis the media reports were worrying how small market Blues were going to come up with the $21 million it would likely take to sign Gretzky in the summer.

I was in Ontario at the time and the word was "rental". I can't recall anyone being surprised when he didn't sign with the Blues in the summer.

The fact that coach Keenan and Gretzky didn't get along was a factor.

Gretzky has since said he wished he had returned to L.A. He felt he had unfinished business there.

 

[JMCx4]

@STLBlueshistory : The two of us having been St. Louis hockey fans through the Brett Hull craze and now witnessing his days as a front office dweller, we both know why Wayne REALLY left town: He knew that trying to keep up with The Golden Brett's carousing for another season would kill him.

 

[frisco]

I think it was mostly Messier. They could team up again. Messier told Gretzky there was no better place to play and win (see 1994) than New York. They could relive the glory years on the biggest stage in hockey. The core of the 1994 team (Messier, Leetch, Graves, Richter, Kovalev, etc.,) were all there. Gretzky was to be the missing piece. They also had Robitaille, Kovalev, Lowe, Ulf. Really, an easy decision for Gretzky I think. Gretzky didn't have to be the "main" guy and a great chance for a Cup. Just ran into a pretty good Philly team in the semis.

My Best-Carey

 

[rfournier103]

From what I remember, Mike Keenan was THE reason Gretzky left the Blues. I really think it was that simple.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Pretty much what rfournier103 wrote above, Mike Keenan was the reason Gretzky opted not to re-sign with St. Louis. I recall when Gretzky did join the Blues, that he seemed to indicate he'd like to stay there and finish up his career in St. Louis, and Keenan is the reason that didn't end up happening.

Wayne Gretzky Wanted To Retire A St. Louis Blue

 

[Big Phil]

I'm sure you are correct about the Rangers' 1994 win. I'm certain that was the "final straw" moment for Wayne in L.A. You know, it would have been hard for him to watch his buddies win the Cup in 1990 (during a season when L.A. had been sub.-.500), but being close as he was in '93 and then seeing Messier (also Anderson, MacTavish, Beukeboom, Lowe) win it all in '94 must have made him think he was in the grass on the wrong side of the fence.

I know how he felt in 1990. Then getting bounced out by the Oilers again in 1991 and 1992. It had to sting even more so. Then 1993 happens and he's close, but then a team full of his old buddies wins in 1994. I know he was happy for his teammates in 1990 as he said in his book, but at the time there was a lot of resentment for Peter Pocklington.

I do not remember anyone thinking St. Louis was going to be Gretzky's choice. Just from the onset it felt like "rental" territory. He looked weird in that uniform. I think playing with Messier again helped, even though Mess left a year after that. But it was also New York in general. The marketing opportunities in New York or L.A. are higher than in St. Louis. Look, the 2019 Blues have their place in history, but will we look back on them and remember them with fond nostalgia? No. But we do with the 1994 Rangers and unless you are a Devils or a Canucks fan you probably have a bit of a soft spot for them. It is because it is huge to win in New York. The same reason people like coming to the Leafs. Winning in these cities in golden, losing in them is like being in a fishbowl you don't want to be in.

 

[tony d]

I never thought he'd end up with the Blues anyway so was surprised to see him traded there in the 1st place.

 

[Normand Lacombe]

I was surprised Gretzky was traded to the Blues in the first place. From what I recall, the Rangers and Leafs were attempting to trade for him, so St. Louis came out of left field.

 

[BraveCanadian]

From what I remember, Mike Keenan was THE reason Gretzky left the Blues. I really think it was that simple.

I am pretty sure that is what I recall as well.

 

[The Panther]

I agree that Keenan must have been a factor, but surely Gretzky knew what he was getting into there...? He'd experienced Keenan's rants before (the '87 Canada Cup team nearly had a mutiny), and Brett Hull and his pals would have given him an honest appraisal before Wayne arrived. I just think there must have been other factors at play.

But, as some said above, maybe the lure of New York was too much to overlook. Still, I would have thought it was clear that the Rangers had already peaked, and also Wayne had a to take a pay-cut to go there.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I was surprised Gretzky was traded to the Blues in the first place. From what I recall, the Rangers and Leafs were attempting to trade for him, so St. Louis came out of left field.

Gretzky was actually rumored to be heading to either St. Louis or New York around the midway point of the season.

Initially the reports had a struggling Chris Pronger supposedly being the centerpiece in a Gretzky trade, but those rumors cooled down once Pronger started playing better, and Sam McMaster took on a pile of crap that didn't amount to anything (save for Craig Johnson who topped out as a bottom six grinder).

The Kings actually did a lot better trading Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley and Shane Churla to the Rangers for Ray Ferraro, Mattias Norstrom, Ian Laperriere, Nathan Lafayette and a draft pick.

Here's a fun look back at the old newsgroups discussions on the various Gretzky trade rumors leading up to the trade.

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/wPzoOd1Dz2I/6NVv0xtLlygJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/XwPqp_PaKJM/EaTfRL9fY_IJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/UgNhDWkfois/SrKGh3wLzPkJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.sports.hockey.nhl.ny-rangers/DaIOP6HfuAo/AbmITRMY8J4J

 

[member 83027]

Lol. A bald assertion by a Blues fan.

Right. I have no idea what I am talking about.

Gretzky was unhappy with the Kings in 95-96 and his good off-season friend Brett Hull knew it and shared the same agent as Gretz, telling his agent to stay close to L.A. that season anticipating a possible trade, that indeed happened, the agent being johnny on the spot.

It was a no brainer Gretzky was getting traded. It wasn't if; it was when he would be dealt.

When Gretzky was traded to St. Louis the media reports were worrying how small market Blues were going to come up with the $21 million it would likely take to sign Gretzky in the summer.

Funny. The Blues had the 5th highest payroll in 1995-96. Funny again.... The Blues payroll jumped 7.8 million the next season so it really was a wonder where they would come up with that 7 million for Gretzky.

I was in Ontario at the time and the word was "rental". I can't recall anyone being surprised when he didn't sign with the Blues in the summer.

Maybe you would have a better handle on the situation if you were where it actually took place.

The fact that coach Keenan and Gretzky didn't get along was a factor.

The fact was if it was such an issue why would Gretzky have agreed to the trade in the 1st place? Gretzky played for Keenan previously.

The fact is that Jack Quinn pulled the contract offer that was made to Gretzky. That is and was the main factor.

Gretzky has since said he wished he had returned to L.A. He felt he had unfinished business there.

Gretzky also said he wished it worked out in St Louis as well as he was glad he went to New York.

 

[Staniowski]

Right. I have no idea what I am talking about.



It was a no brainer Gretzky was getting traded. It wasn't if; it was when he would be dealt.



Funny. The Blues had the 5th highest payroll in 1995-96. Funny again.... The Blues payroll jumped 7.8 million the next season so it really was a wonder where they would come up with that 7 million for Gretzky.



Maybe you would have a better handle on the situation if you were where it actually took place.



The fact was if it was such an issue why would Gretzky have agreed to the trade in the 1st place? Gretzky played for Keenan previously.

The fact is that Jack Quinn pulled the contract offer that was made to Gretzky. That is and was the main factor.



Gretzky also said he wished it worked out in St Louis as well as he was glad he went to New York.

I remember reading that they pulled the contract offer. Why did they pull the offer? What happened after that? Did they subsequently put another offer on the table?

 

[member 83027]

I remember reading that they pulled the contract offer. Why did they pull the offer? What happened after that? Did they subsequently put another offer on the table?

The original offer was reported 3 years for almost 23 million. That offer was yanked after the Detroit series. The revised offer was 2 years for about 14 million.

 

[Normand Lacombe]

Gretzky was actually rumored to be heading to either St. Louis or New York around the midway point of the season.

Initially the reports had a struggling Chris Pronger supposedly being the centerpiece in a Gretzky trade, but those rumors cooled down once Pronger started playing better, and Sam McMaster took on a pile of crap that didn't amount to anything (save for Craig Johnson who topped out as a bottom six grinder).

The Kings actually did a lot better trading Jari Kurri, Marty McSorley and Shane Churla to the Rangers for Ray Ferraro, Mattias Norstrom, Ian Laperriere, Nathan Lafayette and a draft pick.

Here's a fun look back at the old newsgroups discussions on the various Gretzky trade rumors leading up to the trade.

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/wPzoOd1Dz2I/6NVv0xtLlygJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/XwPqp_PaKJM/EaTfRL9fY_IJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.sport.hockey/UgNhDWkfois/SrKGh3wLzPkJ
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.sports.hockey.nhl.ny-rangers/DaIOP6HfuAo/AbmITRMY8J4J

Those old newsgroups were great. Insane trade rumors, people saying a future HOF in Pronger was a bust and fantasies. These ones had me laughing.

1/13/1996-Actually, there's a story circulating in Pittsburgh that the Penguins are trying to get Gretzky - they plan to use him as the third line center, behind Lemieux and Francis.

1/23/1996-Forget it Gretzky will not play for the Blues either the Rangers, Red Wings or Maple Leafs oh ya and Chicago!
Rangers would get rid of Kovalev, Ferraro and Driver plus 2 first round for gretz and McSorley.

Yzerman, Primeau, Ciccarelli...
Andreychuck, Ellett,And some future prospect
Belfour, Amonte, Craven, Poulin,

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[vikash1987]

Tom Wheatley, who covered the Blues for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time, highlighted a couple interesting points back in '96:

First, Gretz & his wife were apparently planning to make St. Louis their home when the trade took place. They actually ended up looking at over 40 homes in the St. Louis area, and they even made an offer on one of them (which they quietly withdrew later). To me, this doesn't gel with the whole "rental" narrative.

Second, Gretz wasn't comfortable with the Blues' refusal to give Hull a no-trade clause. Apparently, this was no small part in his own decision to leave. Had the situation between the Blues and Hull been different, it's perfectly conceivable that Gretz would have considered staying.

Having mentioned that: I think the two biggest reasons for his decision to leave were Mike Keenan and Mark Messier