The Edmonton Oilers, like any NHL team, have a history marked by both shrewd acquisitions and regrettable trades. While some deals have propelled the team toward success, others have set them back, leading to missed opportunities and fan frustration. Examining these "worst trades" provides insight into the challenges of team management and the often unpredictable nature of player development.
One trade that continues to haunt Oilers fans is the decision to trade away Taylor Hall. While the Oilers aimed to address a perceived need for defensive stability, the return for Hall did not live up to expectations. Hall went on to become a Hart Trophy winner, while the players acquired by the Oilers did not have the same impact.
The trade of Jordan Eberle to the New York Islanders for Ryan Strome is another deal that is viewed unfavorably in hindsight. Eberle was a consistent scorer, and while Strome showed some promise, he ultimately didn't replicate Eberle's offensive output in Edmonton. The Oilers then traded Strome to the New York Rangers for Ryan Spooner, who proved to be even less productive. This sequence of trades left the Oilers without a valuable offensive asset and little to show in return.
The Griffin Reinhart trade is also considered among the worst. The Oilers gave up the No. 16 and No. 33 picks in the 2015 draft to acquire Reinhart from the New York Islanders. Reinhart played sparingly for the Oilers before being lost in the expansion draft. The Islanders, meanwhile, used the No. 16 pick to select Mathew Barzal, who has become a star.
Several trades involving players from the Oilers' dynasty era also warrant consideration. The trade of Vincent Damphousse to Montreal for Shayne Corson, Brent Gilchrist, and Vladimir Vujtek is one such example. Damphousse went on to have a successful career with the Canadiens, even winning a Stanley Cup, while the Oilers didn't receive the same level of production from the players they acquired. Similarly, the Oilers traded Jari Kurri, who had been holding out in Europe, to Philadelphia for Scott Mellanby, Craig Fisher, and Craig Berube. The Oilers didn't get enough value in return.
The Oilers also traded Miroslav Satan to the Sabres for Craig Millar and Barrie Moore. Satan became a star in Buffalo, while Millar and Moore had minimal impact in Edmonton. The trade of Martin Rucinsky to Quebec for Ron Tugnutt and Brad Zavisha is another deal that the Oilers likely regret. Rucinsky had a long and productive NHL career, while Tugnutt was a backup goalie and Zavisha played only two NHL games.
These trades highlight the difficulty of predicting player performance and the importance of evaluating potential acquisitions. While some trades are made out of necessity, such as to create cap space or address specific roster needs, others are simply misjudgments of talent. The "worst trades" in Oilers history serve as cautionary tales, reminding fans and management alike of the potential consequences of ill-fated transactions.
