In 2016, the Edmonton Oilers landed the biggest fish on the market, signing Milan Lucic to a seven-year deal worth $42 million—the first major Connor McDavid era signing.

On July 1, 2016, the Edmonton Oilers made one of the most significant and controversial free agent acquisitions in franchise history. With the ink drying on a seven-year, $42 million deal, Milan Lucic officially became an Oiler, leaving behind the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings to join a rising team centered around its newly crowned generational superstar: Connor McDavid.

At the time, Lucic’s signing was viewed by many as a bold, calculated move to inject grit, leadership, and playoff experience into a young, talented roster. For the Oilers, it was more than just a roster addition—it was the first major transaction of the McDavid era and a declaration that the franchise was ready to compete again. Nine years removed from their last playoff appearance, the Oilers were desperate to surround their young captain with pieces that could help the team take the next step.

But did the Lucic signing live up to its promise? Was it a necessary risk, or did it become a cautionary tale of long-term contracts gone wrong? This article explores the context, the immediate aftermath, the long-term fallout, and how the move shaped the trajectory of the Oilers during the early years of Connor McDavid’s tenure.

The 2016 Free Agency Landscape and Edmonton’s Urgency

Going into the 2016 offseason, Edmonton faced mounting pressure to support Connor McDavid, who had just finished his injury-shortened rookie season. The Oilers were still mired in the depths of the NHL standings and had become synonymous with mismanagement, missed draft picks, and underachievement.

With McDavid preparing to enter his first full season, the message was clear: management needed to build around their star before frustration set in. Enter Milan Lucic—arguably the most coveted free agent on the market that summer.

Lucic, then 28, was known for his punishing physical style, playoff experience, and offensive capabilities. A prototypical power forward, he had posted solid numbers with the Bruins and Kings, amassing over 500 NHL games, a Stanley Cup title in 2011, and a fearsome reputation. He was the kind of player general managers believed could change the identity of a team overnight.

The Deal: Seven Years, $42 Million

The Oilers signed Lucic to a seven-year contract worth $6 million annually, complete with a full no-movement clause—something that would later complicate matters significantly. The move was orchestrated by then-GM Peter Chiarelli, who had a longstanding relationship with Lucic from their days together in Boston.

Chiarelli believed that Lucic’s size, grit, and experience were exactly what the Oilers needed to support a young nucleus led by McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

At the introductory press conference, Lucic was presented as a cornerstone addition—someone who would protect McDavid, provide veteran leadership, and contribute meaningful offense. The Oilers didn’t just want to win games; they wanted to be hard to play against.

Lucic’s Strong Start in 2016–17

In his first season in Edmonton, Lucic delivered as promised—or at least came close. He recorded 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points in 82 games. He was a staple on the power play and brought an undeniable physical edge to the team.

More importantly, the Oilers made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. With McDavid winning the Art Ross Trophy and the Oilers finishing second in the Pacific Division, the narrative surrounding the Lucic signing was largely positive. Edmonton reached the second round of the playoffs, and for the first time in over a decade, hope returned to northern Alberta.

Lucic’s presence on the ice seemed to allow McDavid more space and less harassment from opponents. For a moment, the signing appeared to have validated the front office’s decision.

Decline and Disappointment (2017–2019)

Unfortunately for the Oilers, Lucic’s performance began to decline sharply after his first season. By the 2017–18 season, his offensive production dropped to 34 points. In 2018–19, he scored just 6 goals in 79 games, and his skating—which had always been a concern—began to noticeably lag behind the speed of the modern NHL.

As Lucic’s point totals dropped and his contract remained immovable due to the no-movement clause, criticism began to mount. Fans and media questioned the long-term vision of giving a physically aging power forward a contract that would expire when he was 35.

Lucic’s role on the team shifted. He was no longer a top-six forward, often relegated to third-line minutes and power play time. His confidence appeared shaken, and the $6 million cap hit became an albatross, limiting the Oilers’ flexibility to address other roster needs.

The Trade to Calgary and the James Neal Experiment

In July 2019, after three underwhelming seasons, the Oilers made a rare and headline-grabbing deal with their archrivals: Lucic was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for James Neal.

While the trade was seen by some as simply exchanging bad contracts, the Oilers hoped Neal could rekindle his scoring touch alongside McDavid or Draisaitl. Initially, the deal appeared to pay off—Neal scored 11 goals in his first 14 games—but eventually, he too fell off, and neither team truly came out ahead.

Still, the trade served its purpose. It moved Lucic’s contract off Edmonton’s books and provided a temporary offensive boost. More importantly, it marked the end of one of the most criticized chapters of Edmonton’s salary cap management.

Legacy of the Lucic Signing in Edmonton

The Lucic deal is a complex legacy to evaluate. On one hand, it provided immediate impact and helped the Oilers return to the postseason after a decade-long drought. On the other, it became a cautionary tale about term, no-movement clauses, and paying for past performance.

Lessons Learned

1. Power Forwards Age Quickly: The NHL continues to shift toward speed and agility. Power forwards like Lucic often decline earlier than other player types, particularly if skating is a weakness.

2. Term Matters: A seven-year deal for a 28-year-old with a physical play style was a risk from the outset. Teams today are more wary of long-term commitments.

3. Cap Flexibility Is Crucial: Lucic’s contract hamstrung the Oilers during key years when McDavid and Draisaitl were entering their primes. Every dollar counts in the salary cap era.

4. Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Planning: The Lucic deal showed how front offices may prioritize short-term competitiveness at the expense of sustainable roster building.

Impact on Connor McDavid’s Development and Team Building

While Lucic’s time in Edmonton wasn’t the long-term success the front office had envisioned, it played a role in helping McDavid transition into the NHL. His veteran presence and physical play did help shield McDavid early on, even if only for a season or two.

However, the salary cap burden and need to constantly juggle underperforming contracts delayed deeper roster construction. With a generational talent like McDavid, the margin for error in building a contending team is razor-thin. Many argue that years were wasted due to cap mismanagement, of which the Lucic contract was emblematic.

Where Lucic Stands Today

After several seasons in Calgary, Milan Lucic remains in the NHL as a respected veteran presence. While his offensive days are largely behind him, he is still valued for his leadership and physical play. His career has come full circle in some respects, as he embraced a fourth-line role and mentoring position.

Lucic never lived up to the expectations set by his Edmonton contract, but he remained a consummate professional and team-first player throughout.

The Milan Lucic signing was bold, aggressive, and filled with hope—but ultimately flawed in execution. It represented the first big move of the McDavid era and set the tone for how the Oilers would build around their superstar.

While Lucic’s contributions in 2016–17 provided an emotional and competitive spark, the long-term costs came to outweigh the short-term gains. Today, NHL GMs reference the Lucic deal as a cautionary tale when evaluating older free agents with physical play styles.

For the Oilers and McDavid, the years following the Lucic contract were filled with ups and downs, and only recently has the organization begun assembling the depth and consistency needed to support their superstar properly. Still, that summer in 2016 remains a defining moment—a high-stakes gamble that both ushered in new hope and foreshadowed the difficult lessons to come.