<p>Former Edmonton Oilers Craig MacTavish and Randy Gregg were named the latest members to be inducted into the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/craig-mactavish-dr-randy-gregg-to-be-inducted-into-edmonton-oilers-hall-of-fame">Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame,</a> and the induction ceremony will occur on October 25 when the team hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Place.</p>
<p>While both former Oilers were outstanding players, our spotlight will be on MacTavish in this write-up. The former centerman joined the Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/throwback-thursday-this-week-in-1997-craig-mactavish-announces-his-retirement">during the 1985-86 season</a> and immediately found a role as the team’s third-line center (3C). Looking back at his accomplishments, it’s clear why he’s being inducted into the Oilers Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>MacTavish played in 701 games while battling in orange and blue silks, which included setting an Oilers record by playing in 518 consecutive games. He won three Stanley Cups with Edmonton and served as the franchise’s captain from 1992 to 1994, and he did so with hair that maintained its impeccable look even as he skated, as he was the last NHL player to play without a helmet.</p>
<p>After retiring in 1997, MacTavish returned to the Oilers as an assistant coach and later as head coach, compiling a 301-252-47 record. He rejoined the front office in 2012, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/showing-craig-mactavish-s-work">became general manager in 2013</a> for two years, and held executive roles until 2015. With that in mind, let’s revisit five of &#8216;Mac T’s&#8217; most memorable moments with the Oilers in order of when they happened.</p>
<h2>MacTavish Assisted on Klima’s Game-Winning Goal in Triple OT of 1990 Stanley Cup Final</h2>
<p>MacTavish played tough minutes against the opposing team’s top lines and was known for his penalty-killing and faceoff skills. With <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/former-oilers-coach-gm-player-craig-mactavish-inducted-into-alberta-hockey-hall-of-fame">four seasons of scoring 20+ goals</a> during his time with Edmonton, he also had a nose for the net and is regarded as one of the best 3C&#8217;s in Oilers&#8217; history.</p>
<p>Moreover, MacTavish ranks 9th all-time in Oilers&#8217; playoff games played (113) recording 37 points during that span. Aside from making life difficult for his opponents, one of his biggest playoff highlights came during Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins.</p>
<p>At the time, with the game tied 2-2 in triple overtime, MacTavish was assigned to take the faceoff with Jari Kurri and Petr Klima as his wingers. That said, Oilers head coach John Muckler had initially <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-40-moments-petr-klima-comes-off-the-bench-to-end-the-longest-stanley-cup-final-game-in-nhl-history">benched Klima earlier in the game</a> but called upon him again with a few minutes left in the third OT.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">May 15, 1990<br />Game 1 Stanley Cup Final <br />Petr Klima comes off the bench and ends the longest game in Finals history at 15:13 of the third overtime <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoOilers</a>  3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a>  2 <a href="https://t.co/TJjvphmhFR">pic.twitter.com/TJjvphmhFR</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Vintage Oilers (@VintageOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/VintageOilers/status/1790598029667643412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The puck entered the Oilers’ zone, and the defensive-minded MacTavish ensured it exited the zone with a quick pass to Kurri. The centerman created a disturbance by charging hard to the net, and the puck was passed to Klima, who buried a wrist shot for the game-winner, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/re-live-the-edmonton-oilers-1990-91-season">with MacTavish credited with a helper</a> on the play. To this day, it remains the longest game played in Stanley Cup Final history. Edmonton won the series 4-1 and won their fifth Stanley Cup.</p>
<h2>MacTavish Scored Series-Winning Goal Against the Kings in 1991</h2>
<p>MacTavish was renowned for his defensive skills, having been named <a href="https://dev1.oilersnation.com/2013/02/01/nation-profile-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edmonton’s Top Defensive Forward</a> in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1992. However, he also scored 233 career NHL goals, with none being more significant than the playoff tally he scored on April 28, 1991.</p>
<p>At the time, the Oilers were no longer the offensive powerhouse they once were with stars like Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky playing for different teams. Gretzky had been traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the 1988-89 season, and the Oilers would face the Kings in the playoffs over the next three seasons.</p>
<p>The Oilers were leading the series 3-2 against the Kings in the Smythe Division Final in 1991 when the game was tied 3-3 and went into overtime. After the Oilers had a goal called back, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-29-sp-649-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MacTavish received a pass from Klima</a> and tapped in a shot from his linemate to beat Kelly Hrudey with close to three minutes left in OT, winning the series and eliminating the Kings.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Craig MacTavish gets to the front of the net, Klima gets him the puck and he scores the series clinching goal in OT vs the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kings</a> 1991 playoffs.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoOilers</a> <a href="https://t.co/hBapczn9zC">pic.twitter.com/hBapczn9zC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Vintage Oilers (@VintageOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/VintageOilers/status/1559330277381378048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>This goal MacTavish scored was one of his biggest while donning the orange and blue; however, the Oilers were unable to defeat the Minnesota North Stars in the next round and were eliminated in the Clarence Campbell Conference Final.</p>
<h2>MacTavish Pulls Tongue Out of Harvey the Hound</h2>
<p>MacTavish joined the Oilers as an assistant coach in 1999 and was promoted to head coach a year later. He held that position for nine seasons, during which he accumulated a .528 winning percentage over his career as a bench boss.</p>
<p>That said when you think of MacTavish, two things immediately come to mind— him skating around the ice sans helmet and also the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/40-moments-edmonton-oilers-head-coach-craig-mactavish-vs-harvey-the-mound">notorious run-in with Harvey the Hound</a>. On January 20, 2003, during the Battle of Alberta, Calgary Flames’ mascot Harvey the Hound was taunting the Oilers’ bench while the Flames were leading 4-0.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On this date in 2003, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oilers</a> head coach Craig MacTavish removed the tongue of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> mascot Harvey the Hound. <a href="https://t.co/vyfAyMglPn">pic.twitter.com/vyfAyMglPn</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLhistorygirl/status/1351912367123177473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>As Harvey passed by the Oilers’ bench to mock them again, the Oilers’ coach grabbed the mascot’s tongue, ripped it from the costume, and flung it into the crowd and this dustup became one of the most memorable off-ice moments in hockey history.</p>
<p>That being said, while MacTavish, along with Gregg will be inducted into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame on Oct. 25, at the time of this writing, it&#8217;s still unconfirmed whether Mr. Hound will be in attendance or if his tongue will take its place among the Oilers’ Hall of Fame relics.</p>
<h2>MacTavish Coached the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2006</h2>
<p>MacTavish’s Oilers made the playoffs in only three of his nine seasons as head coach, but his <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-100-oilers-craig-mactavish-17">2006 playoff run</a> stands out as very memorable. Under his guidance, the Oilers finished 8th in the Western Conference and faced the President’s Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings in a classic David vs. Goliath matchup in the first round.</p>
<p>The Oilers eventually won the series 4-2, and at the time, the head coach employed a unique defensive system to contain Detroit’s offensive stars and his strategy was similar to the neutral zone trap, a tactic that pressures the opposing team in the neutral zone, making it difficult for them to advance the puck.</p>
<p>However, at the time, MacTavish didn’t necessarily call it a trap, but rather a more &#8216;responsible&#8217; forechecking system, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-clogging-detroit-s-style-1.575786" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, &#8220;We call it a smart style of hockey against a very explosive team.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Craig MacTavish played 701 regular season games with the Oilers and 113 more in the playoffs. Won three Stanley Cups with Edmonton as a player. Team captain. Coached 656 games and went to 2006 Cup final. GM. He&#39;s an Oiler through and through. Good luck to him.</p>
<p>&mdash; Robin Brownlee (@Robin_Brownlee) <a href="https://twitter.com/Robin_Brownlee/status/1129012284724957184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks with a 4-2 series win in the second round and then won the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks with a convincing 4-1 series victory. Unfortunately, they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, losing 3-1. Yet, all in all, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/re-live-the-edmonton-oilers-2006-playoffs">Jason Gregor</a> summarized MacTavish’s coaching during that playoff run, noting that the head coach made excellent adjustments throughout the postseason.</p>
<h2>MacTavish Chose to Draft Leon Draisaitl in 2014</h2>
<p>MacTavish lived and breathed Oilers hockey in every role he served in Edmonton, and he made a notable impact with his off-ice decision in 2014 as general manager, which was a turning point for the franchise and deserves special mention.</p>
<p>The Oilers had the third pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, with Aaron Ekblad going first overall to the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres selected Sam Reinhart at number two. When it came to the Oilers&#8217; turn at number three, the choice was between Leon Draisaitl and Sam Bennett.</p>
<p>However, it was ultimately <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ex-edmonton-oilers-executive-craig-mactavish-explains-the-process-behind-drafting-stuart-skinner">Oilers&#8217; GM MacTavish</a> who made the decision to select Draisaitl at the number three spot, whereas hockey pundits had the big German centerman projected to be picked between the fourth and sixth spots. At the time, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1722350/2020/04/04/lowetide-craig-mactavishs-most-important-oilers-moment-picking-leon-draisaitl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he spoke of his decision</a> to select Draisaitl third overall:</p>
<blockquote><p>“We all know how difficult big centres are to obtain. You’re gonna have to draft big centres to get them. They’re very hard to come by.” He added, “Leon definitely fits that bill for us.”</p></blockquote>
<p>The pick turned out to be the correct one, as Draisaitl has accumulated the most points (850) of anyone from the 2014 NHL Draft with David Pastrnak, selected 25th overall, second with 727 points. MacTavish’s selection of Draisaitl proved to be franchise-altering, as the big centerman emerged as a superstar and is likely destined for not only the Oilers’ Hall of Fame but also the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-oilers-leon-draisaitl-may-already-be-a-hall-of-famer-after-reaching-700-game-milestone-and-flyers-head-coach-john-tortorella-suspended-two-games-fined-after-refusing-to-leave-bench">Hockey Hall of Fame</a> one day. Nevertheless, if the Oilers win a sixth Stanley Cup with Draisaitl leading the way, MacTavish will ultimately have played a significant role in that success.</p>
<p>Overall, MacTavish bled orange and blue in every capacity throughout his various roles with the Oilers. With that in mind, what&#8217;s your favourite &#8216;Mac T&#8217; memory?&#8221;</p>
<h2>PRESENTED BY A&amp;W BURGERS TO BEAT MS</h2>
<p><a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fburgerstobeatms.ca%2F"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-158653 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/AW_MSCanada_co-branded_black.png" alt="" width="1009" height="196" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/AW_MSCanada_co-branded_black.png 1009w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/AW_MSCanada_co-branded_black-300x58.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/AW_MSCanada_co-branded_black-768x149.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1009px) 100vw, 1009px" /></a></p>
<p><i>Burgers to Beat MS Day is back, celebrating its 16th year on Thursday, August 22nd! For every Teen Burger sold on Burgers to Beat MS Day, $2 will be donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Canada. In the lead-up to August 22nd, you can support Burgers to Beat MS by rounding up your bill with any purchase at an A&amp;W, donating online at <a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fburgerstobeatms.ca%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k%3D31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2%26q%3D1%26e%3D1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fburgerstobeatms.ca%252F&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722647447181000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Ljh8dbD-2wE3__LJpDfFj">BurgersToBeatMS.ca</a> or through the <a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-48911376b4c8b2df&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.aw.ca%2Fen%2Forder" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k%3D31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-48911376b4c8b2df%26q%3D1%26e%3D1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fweb.aw.ca%252Fen%252Forder&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722647447181000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XdB-iS3ue4kriagha3DUU">A&amp;W app</a>, or by adding a donation option to your cart when ordering A&amp;W on delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes.</i></p>


Former Edmonton Oilers Craig MacTavish and Randy Gregg were named the latest members to be inducted into the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/craig-mactavish-dr-randy-gregg-to-be-inducted-into-edmonton-oilers-hall-of-fame">Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame,</a> and the induction ceremony will occur on October 25 when the team hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Place.

While both former Oilers were outstanding players, our spotlight will be on MacTavish in this write-up. The former centerman joined the Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/throwback-thursday-this-week-in-1997-craig-mactavish-announces-his-retirement">during the 1985-86 season</a> and immediately found a role as the team’s third-line center (3C). Looking back at his accomplishments, it’s clear why he’s being inducted into the Oilers Hall of Fame.

MacTavish played in 701 games while battling in orange and blue silks, which included setting an Oilers record by playing in 518 consecutive games. He won three Stanley Cups with Edmonton and served as the franchise’s captain from 1992 to 1994, and he did so with hair that maintained its impeccable look even as he skated, as he was the last NHL player to play without a helmet.

After retiring in 1997, MacTavish returned to the Oilers as an assistant coach and later as head coach, compiling a 301-252-47 record. He rejoined the front office in 2012, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/showing-craig-mactavish-s-work">became general manager in 2013</a> for two years, and held executive roles until 2015. With that in mind, let’s revisit five of 'Mac T’s' most memorable moments with the Oilers in order of when they happened.
<h2>MacTavish Assisted on Klima’s Game-Winning Goal in Triple OT of 1990 Stanley Cup Final</h2>
MacTavish played tough minutes against the opposing team’s top lines and was known for his penalty-killing and faceoff skills. With <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/former-oilers-coach-gm-player-craig-mactavish-inducted-into-alberta-hockey-hall-of-fame">four seasons of scoring 20+ goals</a> during his time with Edmonton, he also had a nose for the net and is regarded as one of the best 3C's in Oilers' history.

Moreover, MacTavish ranks 9th all-time in Oilers' playoff games played (113) recording 37 points during that span. Aside from making life difficult for his opponents, one of his biggest playoff highlights came during Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins.

At the time, with the game tied 2-2 in triple overtime, MacTavish was assigned to take the faceoff with Jari Kurri and Petr Klima as his wingers. That said, Oilers head coach John Muckler had initially <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-40-moments-petr-klima-comes-off-the-bench-to-end-the-longest-stanley-cup-final-game-in-nhl-history">benched Klima earlier in the game</a> but called upon him again with a few minutes left in the third OT.

https://twitter.com/VintageOilers/status/1790598029667643412

The puck entered the Oilers’ zone, and the defensive-minded MacTavish ensured it exited the zone with a quick pass to Kurri. The centerman created a disturbance by charging hard to the net, and the puck was passed to Klima, who buried a wrist shot for the game-winner, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/re-live-the-edmonton-oilers-1990-91-season">with MacTavish credited with a helper</a> on the play. To this day, it remains the longest game played in Stanley Cup Final history. Edmonton won the series 4-1 and won their fifth Stanley Cup.
<h2>MacTavish Scored Series-Winning Goal Against the Kings in 1991</h2>
MacTavish was renowned for his defensive skills, having been named <a href="https://dev1.oilersnation.com/2013/02/01/nation-profile-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edmonton’s Top Defensive Forward</a> in 1988, 1990, 1991, and 1992. However, he also scored 233 career NHL goals, with none being more significant than the playoff tally he scored on April 28, 1991.

At the time, the Oilers were no longer the offensive powerhouse they once were with stars like Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky playing for different teams. Gretzky had been traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the 1988-89 season, and the Oilers would face the Kings in the playoffs over the next three seasons.

The Oilers were leading the series 3-2 against the Kings in the Smythe Division Final in 1991 when the game was tied 3-3 and went into overtime. After the Oilers had a goal called back, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-29-sp-649-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MacTavish received a pass from Klima</a> and tapped in a shot from his linemate to beat Kelly Hrudey with close to three minutes left in OT, winning the series and eliminating the Kings.

https://twitter.com/VintageOilers/status/1559330277381378048

This goal MacTavish scored was one of his biggest while donning the orange and blue; however, the Oilers were unable to defeat the Minnesota North Stars in the next round and were eliminated in the Clarence Campbell Conference Final.
<h2>MacTavish Pulls Tongue Out of Harvey the Hound</h2>
MacTavish joined the Oilers as an assistant coach in 1999 and was promoted to head coach a year later. He held that position for nine seasons, during which he accumulated a .528 winning percentage over his career as a bench boss.

That said when you think of MacTavish, two things immediately come to mind— him skating around the ice sans helmet and also the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/40-moments-edmonton-oilers-head-coach-craig-mactavish-vs-harvey-the-mound">notorious run-in with Harvey the Hound</a>. On January 20, 2003, during the Battle of Alberta, Calgary Flames’ mascot Harvey the Hound was taunting the Oilers’ bench while the Flames were leading 4-0.

https://twitter.com/NHLhistorygirl/status/1351912367123177473

As Harvey passed by the Oilers’ bench to mock them again, the Oilers’ coach grabbed the mascot’s tongue, ripped it from the costume, and flung it into the crowd and this dustup became one of the most memorable off-ice moments in hockey history.

That being said, while MacTavish, along with Gregg will be inducted into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame on Oct. 25, at the time of this writing, it's still unconfirmed whether Mr. Hound will be in attendance or if his tongue will take its place among the Oilers’ Hall of Fame relics.
<h2>MacTavish Coached the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2006</h2>
MacTavish’s Oilers made the playoffs in only three of his nine seasons as head coach, but his <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-100-oilers-craig-mactavish-17">2006 playoff run</a> stands out as very memorable. Under his guidance, the Oilers finished 8th in the Western Conference and faced the President’s Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings in a classic David vs. Goliath matchup in the first round.

The Oilers eventually won the series 4-2, and at the time, the head coach employed a unique defensive system to contain Detroit’s offensive stars and his strategy was similar to the neutral zone trap, a tactic that pressures the opposing team in the neutral zone, making it difficult for them to advance the puck.

However, at the time, MacTavish didn’t necessarily call it a trap, but rather a more 'responsible' forechecking system, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-clogging-detroit-s-style-1.575786" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, "We call it a smart style of hockey against a very explosive team.”

https://twitter.com/Robin_Brownlee/status/1129012284724957184

The Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks with a 4-2 series win in the second round and then won the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks with a convincing 4-1 series victory. Unfortunately, they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, losing 3-1. Yet, all in all, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/re-live-the-edmonton-oilers-2006-playoffs">Jason Gregor</a> summarized MacTavish’s coaching during that playoff run, noting that the head coach made excellent adjustments throughout the postseason.
<h2>MacTavish Chose to Draft Leon Draisaitl in 2014</h2>
MacTavish lived and breathed Oilers hockey in every role he served in Edmonton, and he made a notable impact with his off-ice decision in 2014 as general manager, which was a turning point for the franchise and deserves special mention.

The Oilers had the third pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, with Aaron Ekblad going first overall to the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres selected Sam Reinhart at number two. When it came to the Oilers' turn at number three, the choice was between Leon Draisaitl and Sam Bennett.

However, it was ultimately <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ex-edmonton-oilers-executive-craig-mactavish-explains-the-process-behind-drafting-stuart-skinner">Oilers' GM MacTavish</a> who made the decision to select Draisaitl at the number three spot, whereas hockey pundits had the big German centerman projected to be picked between the fourth and sixth spots. At the time, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1722350/2020/04/04/lowetide-craig-mactavishs-most-important-oilers-moment-picking-leon-draisaitl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he spoke of his decision</a> to select Draisaitl third overall:
<blockquote>“We all know how difficult big centres are to obtain. You’re gonna have to draft big centres to get them. They’re very hard to come by.” He added, “Leon definitely fits that bill for us.”</blockquote>
The pick turned out to be the correct one, as Draisaitl has accumulated the most points (850) of anyone from the 2014 NHL Draft with David Pastrnak, selected 25th overall, second with 727 points. MacTavish’s selection of Draisaitl proved to be franchise-altering, as the big centerman emerged as a superstar and is likely destined for not only the Oilers’ Hall of Fame but also the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-oilers-leon-draisaitl-may-already-be-a-hall-of-famer-after-reaching-700-game-milestone-and-flyers-head-coach-john-tortorella-suspended-two-games-fined-after-refusing-to-leave-bench">Hockey Hall of Fame</a> one day. Nevertheless, if the Oilers win a sixth Stanley Cup with Draisaitl leading the way, MacTavish will ultimately have played a significant role in that success.

Overall, MacTavish bled orange and blue in every capacity throughout his various roles with the Oilers. With that in mind, what's your favourite 'Mac T' memory?"
<h2>PRESENTED BY A&amp;W BURGERS TO BEAT MS</h2>
<a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fburgerstobeatms.ca%2F"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-158653 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/AW_MSCanada_co-branded_black.png" alt="" width="1009" height="196" /></a>

<i>Burgers to Beat MS Day is back, celebrating its 16th year on Thursday, August 22nd! For every Teen Burger sold on Burgers to Beat MS Day, $2 will be donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Canada. In the lead-up to August 22nd, you can support Burgers to Beat MS by rounding up your bill with any purchase at an A&amp;W, donating online at <a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fburgerstobeatms.ca%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k%3D31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-40aa5d0ab3bcb1f2%26q%3D1%26e%3D1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fburgerstobeatms.ca%252F&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722647447181000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Ljh8dbD-2wE3__LJpDfFj">BurgersToBeatMS.ca</a> or through the <a href="https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-48911376b4c8b2df&amp;q=1&amp;e=1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.aw.ca%2Fen%2Forder" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k%3D31323334-501d2dca-313522a7-454455534531-48911376b4c8b2df%26q%3D1%26e%3D1c37ead9-f913-40c0-ad4e-fbfd7cbfbea9%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fweb.aw.ca%252Fen%252Forder&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722647447181000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XdB-iS3ue4kriagha3DUU">A&amp;W app</a>, or by adding a donation option to your cart when ordering A&amp;W on delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes.</i>

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