The Edmonton Oilers have announced 41- year-old free agent centre Adam Oates has agreed to a one-year contract.
General Manager Kevin Lowe says the decision to sign Oates came after it was determined that centre Marty Reasoner would be lost to the team for up to a month with injuries to both his ankle and his knee. Oates played last season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, helping them to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. He turned pro in 1985-86 with Detroit following a brilliant U.S. college career. The 5’11” 190 pound native of Weston, Ontario then went on to play for five other NHL teams, over 17 seasons. He has played in 1277 regular season games, and has a total of 1402 points, including 1063 assists. Only five other players have more assists than Oates. Their names are Gretzky, Francis, Bourque, Messier and Coffey.
Lowe says the six-time All-Star centre should be a perfect fit with the Oilers, as he will add several dimensions to the attack. In Lowe’s words, “Adam is a world-class passer, and is one of the best face off specialists in the history of the game. He has won nearly 58% of his face-offs since the statistic was introduced. This is a rare opportunity for us to acquire one of the best offensive talents in the history of the game, and we look forward to seeing him in an Oilers jersey.”
Oates has maintained his fitness level with intensive off-ice workouts since the end of last season and is excited about getting back on the ice. He says; “I haven’t been able to get much ice time of course, but I don’t think it will take me too long to get back to game shape. This is very exciting, being part of a team, which plays with so much offensive flair. It fits my game perfectly.”
I think Oates will be a good addition to the club especially on the PP unit. Thoughts, anyone?
....Only five other players have more assists than Oates. Their names are Gretzky, Francis, Bourque, Messier and Coffey.
How many years was he setting up Brett Hull in St. Louis? Hull scored more than 500 goals with St Louis from 1988 to 1998. No wonder Oates has so many assists. I hope he succeeds in Edmonton. If it doesn't work out, he's only 41 so he could always try to get a gig playing quarterback for the San Diego Chargers.
This is great! We have a Hall of Famer playing here for the first time in quite a while. The price was a little steep ($2 million) but he obviously still has some gas in the tank. Kudos to Kevin.
grim, Oates played in St. Louis for only 2 1/2 years but picked up 228 assists in that time. He also set up Neely in Boston for a few years, so there's your answer.
This is great! We have a Hall of Famer playing here for the first time in quite a while. The price was a little steep ($2 million) but he obviously still has some gas in the tank. Kudos to Kevin.
grim, Oates played in St. Louis for only 2 1/2 years but picked up 228 assists in that time. He also set up Neely in Boston for a few years, so there's your answer.
When I first saw this, I thought it was just some rumor and too good to be true ... but now it is true!
I had been hoping for years, since 1998 in fact, that Oates would become an Oiler ... he's a great for setting up goals and is an all-around class guy.
This could only be good news for the Oilers IMO ...
Welcome to Edmonton, Adam ...
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"If you're going to lose, lose with enthusiasm." -- former Edmonton Oilers coach Ron Low
A good move I think. It'll be good for a team like Edmonton to have a guy like Oates in the locker room.
He only scored 9 goals last year, but still had 36 assists in 67 games which proves he can still be a great set up man. With use on the PP Oates sill be a definite asset.
I'm ock: good signing by the oil Oates will only make this team better,like someone else said he will help the oils pp out.I think it's safe to say that with this signing the oil have got a little better.
HOLLY ****...did i miss this topic...i haven't even heard about this till now....that's huge news to me...finally someone picks him up...and i didn't expect EDM to do it...man they are a large threat now.
Adam Oates joins Oilers
Adam Oates joins Oilers
ock: good signing by the oil Oates will only make this team better,like someone else said he will help the oils pp out.I think it's safe to say that with this signing the oil have got a little better.
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