Detroit Red Wings complete four-player trade with divisional rivals today in hockey history

The legendary Gordie Howe led the Red Wings to many years of success. When he left the team after the 1970-71 season, Detroit entered one of the worst eras in franchise history.

Indeed, the Wings missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons, between 1971 and 1978. That drought was the longest one in the history of the organization, before a year ago, when the team extended its streak to eight years, then nine, a few months ago.

In the 1975 offseason, when the Wings were five years deep in that tough stretch, the team made a massive trade, looking to enter the next season with more momentum.

The Red Wings sent Gary Bergman and Bill McKenzie to the Kansas City Scouts, who later became the Colorado Rockies, then the New Jersey Devils; in return for Glen Burdon and Peter McDuffe.

Three of the players involved in the trade ended up retiring from the NHL soon after.

Burdon, acquired by the Wings, never played in the NHL after the trade. As for McDuffe, he only took part in four games with Detroit the following season before retiring.

Bergman also retired a year after the trade, playing 75 games with Detroit in his final NHL season.

Bill McKenzie is the player who stayed the longest in the NHL following the deal, retiring in 1980.

Exploring past moves shows how important it is to make trades that will help the team, and highlights how every deal comes with risks.

As we get closer to the start of the Wings' Centennial Season, make sure to stay tuned for more stories about the team's rich history.