Nearly two decades later, Jim Devellano is frank in his assessment of the most foolish move he ever made as an NHL general manager.

The decision to trade Adam Oates continues to haunt him.

For more of Adam Oates's 100 Greatest Players bio, please click here.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• ECAC Second All-Star Team (1984)
• NCAA East First All-American Team (1984, 1985)
• ECAC First All-Star Team (1985)
• NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (1985)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1991)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• Signed as a free agent by Detroit, June 28, 1985.
• Traded to St. Louis by Detroit with Paul MacLean for Bernie Federko and Tony McKegney, June 15, 1989.
• Traded to Boston by St. Louis for Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal, February 7, 1992.
• Traded to Washington by Boston with Bill Ranford and Rick Tocchet for Jim Carey, Anson Carter, Jason Allison and Washington's 3rd round pick (Lee Goren) in 1997 NHL Draft, March 1, 1997.
• Traded to Philadelphia by Washington for Maxime Ouellet and Philadelphia's 1st (later traded to Dallas -- Dallas selected Martin Vagner), 2nd (Maxime Daigneault) and 3rd (Derek Krestanovich) round picks in 2002 NHL Draft, March 19, 2002.
• Signed as a free agent by Anaheim, July 1, 2002.
• Signed as a free agent by Edmonton, November 17, 2003.
• Officially announced retirement, April 3, 2004.