Welcome to the LWOS Hockey summer series. Following the historic 2016 NHL Free Agency period, it’s time to look back at the best free agent signings in the history of each of the 30 NHL organizations. Next up: The Colorado Avalanche’s all-time top free agent signing.
Check out our previous 2016 summer series pieces here.
The All-Time Best Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Signings
Nobody did the draft like the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s, who selected everyone from Mark Messier to Grant Fuhr to Jarri Kurri. It also doesn’t hurt that your franchise was able to keep Wayne Gretzky from the WHA owing to a personal services agreement with the owner. But who came into Edmonton through free agency with the greatest impact?
Craig MacTavish is one of the toughest players to emerge from London, Ontario. After spending his early career at the University of Lowell in Massachusetts, the Boston Bruins drafted him 153rd overall in 1978, which is why MacTavish continued to play without a helmet long into the 1990s.
MacTavish was charged with vehicular manslaughter in January 1984 after allegedly murdering another driver while driving drunk. While in jail, MacTavish was freed from his contract with the Boston Bruins, making him a free agent. While in prison, MacTavish signed a new deal with the Edmonton Oilers. By the time MacTavish arrived, the Oilers had already won two Stanley Cups, but with every team in the National Hockey League vying for their attention, they could have used some extra grit.
Craig MacTavish outperformed himself in Boston during the 1985-96 NHL regular season, collecting 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points. MacTavish surprised in the playoffs by scoring eight points in ten games. The Oilers now had another potential postseason hero on their roster.
MacTavish’s regular season stats dropped slightly in 1986-87, but he played an important role in the team’s Stanley Cup playoff run in 1987, scoring 10 points in 21 games. MacTavish won the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1987 and 1988, thanks to his excellent third-line centre play.
The MacTavish Cup champion days were not finished. With Gretzky now in Los Angeles, MacTavish was given more responsibilities for the Oilers. The Edmonton Oilers, led by Mark Messier, defeated MacTavish’s former Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup for the third time.
Craig MacTavish became captain of the Edmonton Oilers in 1992, following the departure of many of the team’s greats. He remained with the club until 1993-94, when the New York Rangers, who already had former Edmonton Oilers such as Mark Messier, Esa Tikkanen, Kevin Lowe, Glenn Anderson, Adam Graves, and Jeff Buekeboom, added Captain Mac T at the trade deadline. The decision paid off, as the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup. MacTavish would later play for the Philadelphia Flyers and the St. Louis Blues before retiring from the National Hockey League as the last player to not wear a helmet.
Craig MacTavish returned to the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach after a few years with the New York Rangers, this time under former teammate Kevin Lowe. When Lowe became general manager, MacTavish took over as head coach. MacTavish’s biggest triumph came in 2005-06, when the Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.
General manager Steve Tambellini sacked MacTavish in 2009, and he proceeded to work for TSN after being unable to find another coaching position. MacTavish would return to coaching in 2011-12 with the Chicago Wolves. Following the season, he returned to Edmonton as Senior Vice-President of Hockey Operations before taking on the post of general manager. MacTavish remained in the post for two seasons. He is currently Vice President of Hockey Operations in Edmonton and spends the majority of his time with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League.
While his managing stint in Edmonton is remembered far less favorably than his playing career, MacTavish played a significant role for the Edmonton Oilers. MacT is eighth in Edmonton Oilers’ all-time games played and 15th in points scored. MacTavish is one of 11 former Edmonton Oilers who have played in at least 100 postseason games. He is fourth all-time on the Oilers in shorthanded goals and is one of Edmonton’s most crucial players when shorthanded.
While the circumstances of why MacTavish became a free agent are dreadful, it did provide Craig MacTavish the opportunity to play for a Stanley Cup dynasty, one in which he was a key component in keeping the machine winning Stanley Cups.
