8 – Oilers deal captain Jason Smith
This one is on Kevin Lowe. Jason Smith was the steady defensive presence the Edmonton Oilers could have used over the next few seasons. The team captain was dealt to the Philly Flyers along with the underwhelming Joffrey Lupul in exchange for the aging Geoff Sanderson, young finnish defenseman Joni Pitkanen and a 3rd round pick. Lupul found his game again and Smith was named captain of his new team upon arrival. Pitkanen had some good flashes but never became the elite defenseman many believed he could be. Sanderson played his one year and was out of the league the next. Pitkanen was dealt for Erik Cole (who we will see again on this list). It started a culture change for the organization that they have not recovered from.
[adsanity id=19673 align=alignnone /]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
