Kelly after talking to a reporter about a foot injury which leaked to the papers, was initially traded to the Rangers in February of 1960 along with Billy McNeill for Bill Gadsby and Eddie Shack. Kelly refused to report to the Rangers and threatened to retire. McNeill did retire nixing the trade altogether. Clarence Campbell gave Kelly and Jack Adams a "cooling off" period so he could avoid being blackballed by the NHL from future play or coaching, and worked out a "Drug Deal" with the Maple Leafs and Conn Smythe.
The Red Wings got a non-descript Defensman named Marc Reaume, and Kelly was moved to Center for the Maple Leafs where he won 4 more cups and never looked back. Gadsby and Pronovost moved up on the depth chart for the Wings and Kelly became personna non-grata for many years because he identified with the Maple Leafs who have always treated him like royalty, and like Ted Lindsay he grew up and wouldn't kiss Jack Adams ass.
The Illitch family never saw a reason to right the wrong because of current successes the Wings had the past 20 years or so.
