Throwback Thursday: This week in 1997, Detroit Red Wings acquire Larry Murphy
By Zach Laing
4 years agoWelcome back to another edition of Throwback Thursday!
This week in 1997 (March 18), the Detroit Red Wings acquired a crucial piece of their dynasty in the late 90’s in Larry Murphy from the Toronto Maple Leafs. 
It was a deal that came shortly before the NHL’s trade deadline.
“We had never discussed trades before because I had a no-trade clause in my contract,” Murphy told NHL.com. “I got a call from [Toronto GM] Cliff Fletcher real close to 3 p.m., just a few minutes before 3 p.m., and he said, ‘I have an opportunity to trade you to Detroit if you’re interested.’ It took me about 10 seconds to think about it. It was an opportunity to go to a team that had a chance to win the Stanley Cup and it was just down the road from Toronto. It happened so fast but it was an easy decision and of course things worked out really well after that.”
Murphy was paired alongside a young Nick Lindstrom and became a formidable pairing. In 312 games, Murphy scored 35 goals and 136 assists. In the playoffs, he stepped up scoring 34 points in 67 games with the Wings.
According to the Windsor Star, the considerations were ” likely that Detroit will assume the majority of Murphy’s contract, a pact which will pay him $2,475 million US next season. Detroit will pay the remainder of Murphys $2.3-million US contract this season and will pick up $1.65 million of next year’s pact.”
In some looking online, I wasn’t able to find any mention of what the considerations could be beyond the Star’s report.
On Twitter: @zjlaing
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