BLOODY WELL RIGHT
By Lowetide
7 years agoShortly after the Edmonton Oilers acquired Adam Larsson this summer, my mind began to wander back through team history in search of a right-handed defenseman who could be called ‘best’ in the group. Of course, old timers like me immediately think of Lee Fogolin, he of the heart and soul that set the tone of unselfish play and sacrifice for the boys on the bus. Who is the best righty D in team history? Are there many?
OILERS RH D WHO HAVE PLAYED 200 OR MORE GAMES WITH EDMONTON
- Lee Fogolin 586gp, 36-125-161
- Steve Staios 573gp, 35-111-146
- Jason Smith 542gp, 31-82-113
- Tom Gilbert 384gp, 33-125-158
- Boris Mironov 320gp, 42-118-160
- Jeff Petry 295gp, 17-57-74
- Jeff Beukeboom 284gp, 12-57-69
- Justin Schultz 248gp, 28-73-101
- RIsto Siltanen 206gp, 38-113-151
- Marty McSorley 206gp, 24-36-60
I cheated a little, McSorley also played some forward with the Oilers. Having said that, I am reasonably sure we have the cream of the crop surrounded with this list.
- Best fighter/agitator: McSorley
- Best shot: Siltanen
- Best accurate shot: Boris Mironov
- Best guy to go looking for another guy: Boris Mironov
- Favorite: Lee Fogolin
- Other Favorite: Boris Mironov
- Sad when he left: Jason Smith
- Traded to Calgary but we loved him anyway: Steve Staios
- Best RH defenseman: probably Boris, but my heart says Fogolin.
How about you?
One final note: Adam Larsson is signed for the next five seasons, meaning he could play around 400 games with Edmonton should he stay with the team until the end of his current contract. Those 400 or so games would put him No. 4 on the list—meaning Edmonton hasn’t had a long list of great RH defenders over the years. By my count, Edmonton has had 17 LHD play 200 or more games since 1979.
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