Sather Resigns As Oilers Boss

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"I don't wish this franchise any bad luck," Sather said during a news conference at Skyreach Centre. "It's the first time since I've been 16 years old that I've been unemployed.

"This hasn't been a quick decision, but it's something that I had to do. I never contemplated leaving this organization. I thought I'd retire here. But things change."

Sather joined the Oilers as a player in 1976 and became the general manager in 1979.

He has had problems with the Oilers current owner group in recent months, especially with Cal Nichols, chairman of the Edmonton Investors Group that took over the team in 1998.

"It's a clashing of strong personalities," Sather said. "If this is a mistake, then I'll live with it."

The New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes are reportedly interested in Sather.