By Budd Bailey, Buffalo Sports Page Columnist
No. 55: December 26, 1988 – The Sabres trade Adam Creighton and future considerations to Chicago for Rick Vaive and future considerations.
In 1986-87, the Sabres didn’t have many bright spots, but Adam Creighton was one of them. The former first-round pick blossomed in the second half of that last-place season, scoring 40 points in 56 games at the age of 21. He had some injury problems in the next year and a half, but no one had given up on his talents.
That made him attractive to the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the price was going to be high. Rick Vaive scored 50 goals in three straight seasons as a member of the Maple Leafs, and had 43 goals in his first full year in Chicago in 1987-88. The two sides agreed on the deal.
Vaive showed that he was willing to take a pounding with the Sabres, and was still effective for two and one-half seasons in Buffalo. Creighton had the year of his life with the Blackhawks in 1989-90, scoring 70 points. He then bounced around the NHL until 1997. Creighton still is a frequent visitor to Sabres’ games; he’s a scout for the Boston Bruins.
(Follow Budd on Twitter @WDX2BB)
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