At 15, Gordie Howe was invited to & attended the Rangers Training Camp.... however, homesick, taking a lot of ribbing from veterans, turned off with the experience & returned home to Saskatoon. Following winter, approached by a Red Wings Scout, rest is history.
Summer of 97, the Rangers, having lost Messier to Vancouver sign Colorado's Joe Sakic to a $21M 3yr Offer Sheet, the Avalanche however stepping up to the plate & matching. At that tine, had Colorado not matched and lost Sakic, I believe the indemnification was 5 or 6 1st Round Picks from New York.
In 2007, Detroit was up against it with the Salary Cap, Datsyuks Contract up and they didnt have a lot of breathing room. A deal reportedly in place with New Jersey for Scott Gomez. Fortunately for the Wings, they did manage to sign Pavel, one of the most popular, creative, entertaining & best 2 way players in todays game.