Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers enter spring signing season under pressure.

On Sept. 14, 1979, the Edmonton Oilers signed undrafted OHA free agent Charlie Huddy to an NHL contract.

It would be one of the finest amateur signings in modern history, as Huddy played a prominent role in all five Stanley Cup victories and appeared in 1,107 NHL games during his career.

Fast forward to today, and the free-agent option is even more important to the current Oilers team. The trading of draft picks and slow progress for top prospects in the minors have the organization at the low end of the NHL’s annual prospect pool.

What can be done? Plenty, and it needs to happen soon.

The first 40 years

Edmonton’s amateur scouting department, led by Barry Fraser, delivered the best three-year run in draft history from 1979 to 1981. The organization was also signing Huddy and Randy Gregg, both men playing a significant part in all of the Stanley Cup success enjoyed by the Oilers.