On March 5, 1972, Eddie Shack was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Buffalo Sabres straight up for Rene Robert. Shack had come over from the Los Angeles Kings in November, 1970 and scored an impressive 25 goals in 56 games for the Sabres in 1970-71. In 1971-72, the numbers dropped significantly and he put in just eleven over 55 games before being moved to the Penguins.
Shack had a resurgence with the Penguins, scoring 25 goals in 1972-73, his only full season with the team. It was the fifth time he surpassed the 20 goal plateau, something he accomplished with five different teams.
Rene Robert was originally a prospect of the Toronto Maple Leafs but played just five games with the club before moving to Pittsburgh. With the Penguins, he played 49 games in 1971-72 before being traded to the Sabres.
This was certainly a lopsided deal. Shack had one good season before his career sputtered out. Robert was an instant success in Buffalo, making up a third of the famed French Connection line along with Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin. He starred with the Sabres for several years and was the first player in franchise history to record 100 points in a single season.
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