Sometimes, leaving a team is simply a matter of business. Other times, it’s a five-alarm fire of drama, bitterness, and scorched-earth exits that leave fans and franchises shaking their heads for years.
These NHL players didn’t just walk out the door — they kicked it off the hinges on the way out. Whether it was public feuds, ugly contract disputes, or locker room tension, these guys made sure nobody forgot how it ended.
14. Sergei Fedorov
Once beloved in Detroit, Fedorov’s contract drama and eventual jump to the rival Ducks left fans feeling betrayed. It was a classic case of a superstar pushing for more and leaving nothing but a trail of smoke in their wake.
13. Mike Comrie
When Comrie left Edmonton, the Oilers made it clear they weren’t heartbroken. A messy trade demand and a bad breakup with the fans made his return years later feel more awkward than nostalgic.
12. Ilya Kovalchuk
Kovalchuk’s sudden retirement from the NHL to bolt for the KHL left the Devils scrambling. Then he came back to the league with a different team, and New Jersey fans were not amused.
11. Patrick Roy
Roy’s infamous final game in Montreal ended with him skating off the ice and telling the team he’d never play for them again. He meant it — and he was gone within days, leaving the Habs stunned.
10. Tony DeAngelo
DeAngelo wore out his welcome in more than one NHL locker room, but his exit from the Rangers was the most chaotic. After a reported altercation with a teammate, the team quickly cut ties and moved on.
9. Chris Pronger
He was dominant on the ice, but his time in Edmonton ended with a trade request that fans still haven’t forgiven. The timing and reasoning left a sour taste in the mouths of Oilers faithful.
8. Alexander Radulov
Radulov bailed on the Predators during the playoffs to head back to Russia — not exactly the way to win over a fan base. When he did return to the NHL, it was clear those bridges in Nashville were long gone.
7. Evander Kane
His time in Winnipeg and Buffalo was a rollercoaster of headlines, but the exits were anything but smooth. Teammates distanced themselves, management seemed relieved, and Kane never looked back.
6. Dany Heatley
Heatley forced his way out of Ottawa in a saga that included a rejected trade and a ton of awkward headlines. Senators fans felt blindsided and bitter, and his legacy in the capital never really recovered.
5. Alexei Yashin
He sat out an entire season due to a contract dispute with Ottawa, then left for the Islanders in one of the most lopsided trades in modern history. Neither fanbase was thrilled with how it all played out.
4. John Tavares
Islanders fans went from wearing his jersey to burning it overnight. His quiet departure in free agency to the Maple Leafs — without much of a heads-up — made Long Island feel like he ghosted them.
Read More: 10 NHL Stars Who Peaked Way Too Early
3. Sean Avery
Avery clashed with teammates, opponents, and pretty much everyone else. His exit from Dallas, in particular, was the end of the line, and few around the league were sad to see him go.
Read More: NHL: 7 Most Controversial Players of All Time
2. Brett Hull
Hull’s exit from St. Louis wasn’t overly dramatic at first glance, but fans never quite forgave the way he left after being such a key figure. His move to Dallas and winning a Cup elsewhere only deepened the wound.
Read More: 15 MLB Players Who Burned Bridges With Their Former Teams
1. Eric Lindros
The breakup between Lindros and the Flyers was straight out of a soap opera — public spats, refusal to play, and battles with management. When your team strips you of the captaincy, you know the bridge is gone and buried.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
