After retiring as a player, Sather transitioned into coaching and management, where he truly found his niche. In 1977, he became the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, a team that was then part of the World Hockey Association (WHA). When the Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, Sather continued as their coach and general manager. Under his leadership, the Oilers became one of the most dominant teams in NHL history during the 1980s.
Sather's tenure with the Oilers is best remembered for the dynasty he built, which included winning five Stanley Cup championships between 1984 and 1990. He was instrumental in assembling a roster that featured some of the greatest players in hockey history, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey. Sather's ability to manage talent and foster a winning culture was a hallmark of his time with the Oilers.
In 2000, Sather took on a new challenge by becoming the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. His time with the Rangers was marked by efforts to rebuild the team into a contender. While the Rangers did not achieve the same level of success as the Oilers during his tenure, Sather's influence was evident in the team's gradual improvement and eventual return to the playoffs.
Sather stepped down as the Rangers' general manager in 2015 but remained with the organization as a senior advisor.
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