[2] He was acquired by the New York Rangers from the Maple Leafs for Mike Allison on August 18, 1986,[3] in a trade considered to be Phil Esposito's best during his three years as the team's general manager.
[7] Despite coming off a season as the Rangers' top scorer, he was traded along with Jari Grönstrand, Bruce Bell and a fourth-round selection in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft (76th overall–Éric Dubois) to the Quebec Nordiques for Normand Rochefort and Jason Lafreniere on August 1, 1988.
Esposito felt the team needed to improve its defense after losing 17 games by one goal and missing the playoffs.
He was also disappointed with Poddubny's failure to win face-offs, while head coach Michel Bergeron expressed displeasure with the quality of his checking game.
[11] After his lone season with the Nordiques, Poddubny was sent to the New Jersey Devils for Claude Loiselle and Joe Cirella on June 17, 1989.