Kent Nilsson, a name synonymous with skill and offensive flair, was a Swedish center who played in the WHA and NHL. Known as "Mr. Magic" and "The Magic Man" for his exceptional puck-handling abilities, Nilsson's career spanned several leagues and teams, including the Winnipeg Jets (WHA), Atlanta/Calgary Flames, Minnesota North Stars, and Edmonton Oilers. Wayne Gretzky even commented that "Skills-wise he might have been the most skilled hockey player I ever saw in my entire career". While his career was filled with highlights, it's the trade that sent him from Calgary to Minnesota that created one of the most impactful trade trees in NHL history.

Nilsson's journey to Calgary began in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Winnipeg Jets. After two consecutive 107-point seasons, he was drafted by the Atlanta Flames. In his first season with Atlanta, he recorded 93 points. Following the Flames' relocation to Calgary, Nilsson exploded offensively, setting franchise records in 1980-81 with 82 assists and 131 points. Despite his offensive brilliance, Nilsson's defensive game was considered a weakness.

On June 15, 1985, the Flames traded Nilsson and a third-round pick to the Minnesota North Stars for two second-round picks in the 1985 and 1987 NHL Entry Drafts. This seemingly minor deal set off a chain reaction that would significantly impact the Flames' future.

Calgary used the 1985 second-round pick to select Joe Nieuwendyk, who would go on to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and become a Hockey Hall of Famer. The Flames used the 1987 second-round pick to draft Stephane Matteau.

Nilsson's time in Minnesota was relatively short. On March 2, 1987, the North Stars traded him to the Edmonton Oilers for a second-round pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Nilsson played a key role in the Oilers' 1987 Stanley Cup victory.

The trade tree's impact extends beyond these players. While Nilsson only played a season and a half with the North Stars, the draft picks that Calgary acquired turned into valuable assets. Joe Nieuwendyk would be traded to the Dallas Stars for Jarome Iginla. Iginla would become the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and also a Hockey Hall of Famer.

The Kent Nilsson trade to Minnesota demonstrates how a single transaction can have a ripple effect throughout the league. While Nilsson continued to have a productive career after leaving Calgary, it was the assets the Flames acquired that cemented the trade's legacy. The acquisition of Nieuwendyk and eventually Iginla, played an integral part in bringing the Stanley Cup to Calgary in 1989.