He played in 56 games for the Red Wings while splitting time with the Adirondack minor league club, but was only able to score seven goals.

The trade was lamented at the time in Edmonton —- the high-scoring Klima had run-ins with the law and a history of substance abuse, Sharples was coming off a shoulder injury, and Murphy and Graves were considered to be underachievers given their high draft status.

[3] Red Wings general manager Jim Devellano was reluctant to part with Graves, but felt that obtaining Detroit-area native Carson was worth it.

[4] The trade paid immediate dividends for the Oilers, as Klima finished with 30 goals, while Graves and Murphy provided depth up front.

Graves would go on to score 11 points in the playoffs, en route to defeating the Boston Bruins for the Edmonton Oilers' fifth Stanley Cup.

"[citation needed] But Graves spent only two seasons with the Oilers before they allowed him to leave as a free agent at the conclusion of the 1990–91 campaign.

He signed an offer sheet for five years and $2.44 million with the New York Rangers, where he would join former Edmonton Oilers teammates Mark Messier and Jeff Beukeboom.

Neil Smith, the general manager of the Rangers, was familiar with Graves, having earlier served as the Red Wings' director of scouting.

[citation needed] Graves’ performance was marred by an ugly incident in Game 2 of the Patrick Division finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he fractured the left wrist of superstar Mario Lemieux with a vicious two-handed swing of his stick.

Graves was awarded a roster spot on the NHL's second All-Star team at the position of left wing, and was the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in recognition of his continuing work with charitable causes.

Graves is one of the seven alumni of the Oilers dynasty to win the Stanley Cup with the 1993–94 New York Rangers, along with Jeff Beukeboom, Glenn Anderson, Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, Mark Messier and Esa Tikkanen.

After winning the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2001, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mikael Samuelsson and Christian Gosselin.

[10] During the 1993–94 season, Graves was awarded with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities or has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.

This award is given annually to the player who applies core values of hockey, commitment and teamwork to enrich the lives of people in the community.

Along with other professional athletes such as Al Leiter, Troy Aikman and Terry Cummings this award was given to charitable and community service efforts.

9 jersey before a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, joining fellow 1994 Stanley Cup champion teammates Brian Leetch, Mark Messier and Mike Richter as well as Ranger greats Rod Gilbert and Ed Giacomin in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.