Welcome back to the fourth edition of this series, one in which ranks the best five players of each position in Edmonton Oilers franchise history. To this point, the lists have covered the center, left-wing, and right-wing positions, meaning today it is time to do the defencemen.
While the Oilers have had some great defencemen over the years for short periods of time, (hello, Chris Pronger) this list takes longevity into account, which is why certain players may be absent. With that being said, here are the top 5 defencemen in Oiler’s history.
5. Randy Gregg
Randy Gregg is a name that a good chunk of the younger fan base may not recognize, but those who watched the Oilers during their dynasty days in the 80’s know how valuable he was. The now 65-year-old was typically a stay-at-home defenceman who at times could chip in with offence, and though he wasn’t flashy was extremely consistent.
Gregg played in just 474 career NHL games, though the first 453 came as a member of the Oilers. During his time in Edmonton, he twice retired to pursue his passion in the medical field, though returned on both occasions. He played a role in all five of the Oilers Stanley Cup championships.
After the 1989-90 season, Gregg was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks, but chose to retire once again. However, for a third time, he decided to return to the league and suited up for 21 regular-season games with the Canucks, and an additional seven in the postseason in what was his final year in the NHL. He finished his career with 41 goals and 193 points.