Editing Edmonton Oilers (section)

==History==
{{main|History of the Edmonton Oilers}}

===WHA years (1972–1979)===
On November 1, 1971, the Edmonton Oilers became 1 of the 12 founding WHA franchises. The original owners were [[Bill Hunter (ice hockey)|"Wild Bill" Hunter]] (1920–2002) and partner, [[Charles Allard|Dr. Charles A. "Chuck" Allard]] (1919–1991)<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnCsBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA675 | title=Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia | isbn=9781317459477 | last1=Riess | first1=Steven A. | date=March 26, 2015 | publisher=Routledge}}</ref> (father of [[Vancouver]] lawyer [[Peter A. Allard School of Law|Peter Allard]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://historyproject.allard.ubc.ca/law-history-project/profile/peter-allard-qc | title=Peter A. Allard, QC}}</ref> who, a decade later, also brought the [[Second City Television|''SCTV'']] sketch comedy TV series to Edmonton.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ecitydoc.com/download/charles-alexander-allard-md-frcsc-facs-1919-1991-3_pdf | title=&#91;PDF&#93; charles alexander allard, md, FRCSC, facs 1919–1991 – Free Download PDF}}</ref> Hunter also owned the [[Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)|Edmonton Oil Kings]], a junior hockey franchise,<ref name=whl>{{cite web |url=http://www.whl.ca/page/whl-history |title=WHL History |publisher=Western Hockey League |access-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113222758/http://www.whl.ca/page/whl-history |archive-date=November 13, 2010}}</ref> and founded the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (now known as the [[Western Hockey League]] (WHL)).<ref name=whl/> Hunter's efforts to bring major professional hockey to [[Edmonton]] via an expansion NHL franchise had been rebuffed by the NHL. So, he looked to the upstart WHA instead. It was Hunter who chose the "Oilers" name for the new WHA franchise. This was a name that had previously been used as a nickname for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |last=MacNeil |first=Rob |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/09/17/nhl_team_names/ |title=What's in a name? |publisher=Sportsnet |date=September 17, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009142207/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/09/17/nhl_team_names/ |archive-date=October 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Hunter also served as head coach during 1972–73, 1974–75 and 1975–76 seasons.

After the newly founded [[Calgary Broncos]] folded before the commencement of the inaugural WHA season, the Oilers were renamed the '''Alberta Oilers''' as it was planned to split their home games between Edmonton and [[Calgary]]. Possibly for financial reasons or to allow for a less complicated return of the WHA to Calgary, though, the team ultimately played all of its home games in the [[Edmonton Gardens]] and changed its name back to the Edmonton Oilers the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hockey.ballparks.com/WHA/AlbertaOilers/index.htm |title=Northlands Coliseum |publisher=Ballparks |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref> They won the first game in WHA history 7–4 over the [[Ottawa Nationals]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Rocky |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=426216 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117123740/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=426216 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |title=WHA and NHL merged 30-years ago |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 22, 2009 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref>

The Oilers drew fans with players such as [[defenceman]] and team [[captain (hockey)|captain]] [[Al Hamilton]], [[goaltender]] [[Dave Dryden]] and [[forward (hockey)|forwards]] [[Blair MacDonald]] and [[Bill Flett]]. However, a relatively little-noticed move in [[1976–77 WHA season|1976]] had an important impact on the history of the franchise. That year, journeyman forward [[Glen Sather]] was acquired by the Oilers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pelletier |first=Joe |url=http://oilerslegends.blogspot.com/2006/11/glen-sather.html |title=Glen Sather |publisher=greatesthockeylegends.com |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref> It turned out to be his final season as a player and he was named player-coach late in the season, moving to the bench full-time after the season. Sather was the coach or [[List of Edmonton Oilers general managers|general manager]] of the Oilers for the next 23 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b199701&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Glen Sather |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref>

Although the Oilers' on-ice performance for most of the WHA's history was mediocre, they remained well-supported and financially stable by WHA standards. In 1976, Hunter and Allard sold the franchise to [[Vancouver, Canada|Vancouver]] real estate tycoon [[Nelson Skalbania]], who later became notorious for flipping property, both [[real estate|real]] and [[Professional sports league organization|franchised]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kdmMKQ_h1IwC&pg=PA19 | title=Calgary Flames: Fire on Ice | isbn=9781551537948 | last1=Stewart | first1=Monte | year=2004 | publisher=Heritage House Publishing Co}}</ref> Skalbania soon made local businessman [[Peter Pocklington]] a full partner, then sold his shares to him the following year. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in [[1978–79 WHA season|1978]] when Pocklington acquired underage player [[Wayne Gretzky]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-history-wha-team-acquires-wayne-gretzky-peter-driscoll-and-eddie-mio-from-indianapolis-racers-for-825000-nov-2-1978/ | title=Edmonton Oilers acquire Wayne Gretzky, Peter Driscoll and Eddie Mio from Indianapolis Racers for $825,000}}</ref> as well as goaltender [[Eddie Mio]] and forward [[Peter Driscoll]], for cash, from Skalbania's recently folded [[Indianapolis Racers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18630 |title=Eddie Dario Mio |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 10, 2010}}</ref>

His first year of WHA experience prevented Gretzky from being an official [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]] NHL rookie; his first and only WHA season, [[1978–79 WHA season|1978–79]], saw the Oilers finish first in the WHA standings, posting a league-best 48–30–2 record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shrpsports.com/wha/stand/1979.htm |title=Final WHA Standings 1978–79 |publisher=ShrpSports |access-date=November 4, 2010}}</ref> However, Edmonton failed to win the championship, as they fell to the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)|Winnipeg Jets]] in the [[Avco World Trophy]] finals. [[Dave Semenko]] of the Oilers scored the last goal in WHA history in the third period of the final game, which they lost 7–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/last54.html |title=World's Last WHA Game |publisher=The Longest List of the Longest Stuff at the Longest Domain Name at Long Last |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231044758/http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/last54.html |archive-date=December 31, 2009 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The Oilers joined the NHL for [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]], along with fellow WHA teams [[Hartford Whalers]], [[Quebec Nordiques]] and the Jets following a [[NHL–WHA merger|merger agreement]] between the two leagues. Of these four teams, only Edmonton has avoided relocation and renaming; the Nordiques became the [[Colorado Avalanche]] in 1995, the Jets became the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] in 1996 and the Whalers became the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilkie |first=Bruce |url=http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-wha-merger-30th-anniversary/ |title=NHL-WHA Merger 30th Anniversary |publisher=The Hockey Writers |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

===Entry into the NHL (1979–1983)===
[[File:Jari Kurri 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|The Oilers acquired [[Jari Kurri]] in the [[1980 NHL entry draft|1980]] draft. Kurri was one of several key acquisitions by the Oilers in the early 1980s.]]
The Oilers lost most of the players from 1978–79 when the NHL held a reclamation draft of players who had bolted to the upstart league as they were allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.hockeyresearch.com/jkasiorek/79expdraft.html |title=1979 NHL Expansion Draft |publisher=The Home of the Oilers |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031129065009/http://members.hockeyresearch.com/jkasiorek/79expdraft.html |archive-date =November 29, 2003}}</ref> Originally, Gretzky was not eligible to be protected; under the rules of the time, he normally would have been placed in the [[1979 NHL entry draft|entry draft]] pool. However, Pocklington had signed him to a 21-year personal services contract in 1979 and Pocklington used the contract to force the NHL to admit the Oilers and allow the Oilers to keep Gretzky.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCurdy |first=Bruce |url=http://www.coppernblue.com/2010/1/26/1270163/happy-birthday-wayne-the-21-year |title="Happy birthday, Wayne": the 21-year, personal services contract |publisher=The Copper and Blue |date=January 26, 2010 |access-date=November 4, 2010}}</ref>

Upon joining the NHL, the Oilers were placed in the Campbell Conference's Smythe Division. They were mediocre during the regular season in their first two seasons, finishing sixteenth and fourteenth respectively. However, because 16 of the 21 NHL teams made the playoffs at the time, the Oilers were still able to get their young players experience in the playoffs (they made the playoffs for their first 13 years in the NHL).<ref name="Oilers season results">{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/EDM/ |title=Edmonton Oilers |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> They won only one playoff series in their first three NHL seasons, though, upsetting the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]]. Gretzky set new NHL records in [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]] for assists (109)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_season.html |title=NHL & WHA Single Season Leaders and Records for Assists |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> and points (164).<ref name="points"/> Also, they still had great draft positions. This allowed the Oilers to put together a young, talented, experienced team quickly. Within three years, Sather and chief scout [[Barry Fraser]] had drafted several players who would have an important role in the team's success, including [[Mark Messier]], [[Glenn Anderson]], [[Jari Kurri]], [[Paul Coffey]], [[Kevin Lowe]], [[Grant Fuhr]] and [[Andy Moog]].<ref name="draft">{{cite web |last=McCurdy |first=Bruce |url=http://www.coppernblue.com/2010/6/24/1535275/class-of-1980-best-oilers-draft |title=Class of 1980: Best Oilers draft ever? |publisher=The Copper and Blue |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

The Oilers improved in [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], finishing second overall. Grant Fuhr emerged as the starting goaltender and he set a rookie record by going undefeated in 23 straight games.<ref name="Fuhr">{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1981/81008.html |title=Grant Fuhr |publisher=Hockey Draft Central |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> However, Gretzky stole the show by setting the single-season record for [[Goal (ice hockey)|goals]] with 92<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_season.html |title=NHL & WHA Single Season Leaders and Records for Goals |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> and becoming the first player in NHL history to score 200 points (with 212).<ref name="points">{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/points_season.html |title=NHL & WHA Single Season Leaders and Records for Points |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> Gretzky's accomplishments helped the Oilers become the first team to score 400 goals in a season, a feat they accomplished for five straight years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=5632 |title=Standings for the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> However, they were upset by the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in five games (Game 3 of this series, the [[Miracle on Manchester]], saw the Oilers take a 5–0 lead into the third period, only to lose 6–5 in overtime).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1982.html |title=1981–82 NHL Season Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thehockeywriters.com/miracle-on-manchester-still-greatest-nhl-playoff-upset-of-all-time/ |title=Miracle on Manchester, Still Greatest NHL Playoff Upset of All Time |publisher=The Hockey Writers |date=April 29, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

In [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]], the Oilers finished third overall in the NHL. They advanced all the way to the [[1983 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] (losing only once in the process) before getting swept by defending Stanley Cup champion [[New York Islanders]].<ref name="1983 Edmonton Oilers">{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/EDM/1983.html |title=1982–83 Edmonton Oilers Roster and Statistics |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> During this season, Gretzky, Messier, Anderson and Kurri all topped 100 points, with Coffey not far behind at 96.<ref name="1983 Edmonton Oilers"/> After the season, [[Lee Fogolin]] resigned as captain of the Oilers, picking Gretzky as his successor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_leefogolin.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20101208160446/http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/big_players_leefogolin.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |title=Lee Fogolin-Like Father, Like Son |publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

===Dynasty years (1983–1990)===
[[File:Stanley Cup - Basil Pocklington x'es.JPG|thumb|left|A close-up view of the engravings for the [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]] Edmonton Oilers, winners of the [[1984 Stanley Cup Finals|1984 Stanley Cup]].]]
In [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]], the Oilers finished first overall in the NHL, winning a franchise record 57 games and earning 119 points (15 points ahead of the second-place Islanders). They were the first team to feature three players with 50 goals (Gretzky, Kurri, and Anderson).<ref name="Record Breakers">{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/memories/recordbreakers.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20101208160705/http://www.oilersheritage.com/memories/recordbreakers.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |title=Record Breakers |publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage |access-date=November 15, 2010}}</ref> Gretzky started strong by scoring at least a point in the first 51 games of the season.<ref name="Gretzky Record Book">{{cite web |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Jamie |url=http://proicehockey.about.com/od/waynegretzky/a/gretzky_records.htm |title=The Wayne Gretzky Record Book |publisher=About.com |access-date=November 15, 2010 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075249/http://proicehockey.about.com/od/waynegretzky/a/gretzky_records.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Paul Coffey became the second defenceman ever to score forty goals in a season (with forty exactly).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/careerstats.htm?fetchKey=00002ALLDAHAll&sort=goals&viewName=careerLeadersSingleSeason |title=Career Stats-Regular season |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> The team scored a total of 446 goals as a team, an NHL record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hhof.com/html/dyntmoil.shtml |title=Edmonton Oilers 1983–84 to 1989–90 |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=November 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031054551/http://www.hhof.com/html/dyntmoil.shtml |archive-date=October 31, 2006}}</ref> The Oilers were so determined to win the [[Stanley Cup]] that they hired [[Roger Neilson]] as a video analyst.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b200201&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Roger Neilson |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> They started the [[1984 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]] strongly by sweeping the Winnipeg Jets in the Smythe Division semifinals. They faced a tougher test in the [[Calgary Flames]], but they defeated them in seven games in the division finals. They then swept the [[Minnesota North Stars]] in the conference finals to earn a rematch with the Islanders in the [[1984 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]]. The Oilers split the first two games in Long Island but then won three in a row in Edmonton to become the first former WHA team to win the Stanley Cup. After the series, Mark Messier was awarded the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as playoff MVP.<ref name="Spoilers">{{cite web |last=Falla |first=Jack |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1122112/1/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203002635/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1122112/1/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |title=The Oilers Were the Spoilers |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 28, 1984 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

[[1984–85 NHL season|The following season]], the Oilers finished second overall in the NHL with 49 wins and 109 points. Gretzky led the NHL in goals with 73,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/gretzwa01.html |title=Wayne Gretzky |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> and Kurri was close behind with a career-high 71.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/kurrija01.html |title=Jari Kurri |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> Gretzky also became the youngest player in NHL history to score one thousand points.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onthisday.com/sport/ice-hockey/ih-players/wayne-gretzky |title=Today in Wayne Gretzky History |publisher=OnThisDay.com |access-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Oilers swept the Kings in the opening round and Jets in round two. They won the first two games of the conference finals against the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] but lost the next two before winning the final two and returning to the Stanley Cup Finals. Edmonton lost the first game to Philadelphia but won the next four to win the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. Paul Coffey had a playoff performance to remember, setting records for most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) ever by a defenceman in a playoff year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boltontoyota.com/PaulCoffey.aspx |title=Paul Coffey |publisher=Bolton Toyota |access-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228094132/http://www.boltontoyota.com/PaulCoffey.aspx |archive-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> In addition, Jari Kurri tied [[Reggie Leach]]'s record for most goals in a playoff year, with 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://statshockey.homestead.com/nhlrecords.html |title=NHL Records |publisher=StatsHockey.net |access-date=November 14, 2010 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721065135/http://statshockey.homestead.com/nhlrecords.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy after setting the record for most points in a playoff year (47).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CST&year=1984-85 |title=Gretzky, Wayne |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 1, 2010}}</ref> The 1984–85 Oilers were voted as the greatest NHL team of all-time during the league's centennial celebrations in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hackel|first1=Stu|title=1984–85 Oilers voted No. 1 Greatest NHL Team|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/1985-edmonton-oilers-greatest-nhl-teams/c-289776318|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=February 3, 2018|date=June 6, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Wayne Gretzky statue 6.jpg|upright|thumb|A statue of [[Wayne Gretzky]] stands outside [[Rogers Place]]. Playing with the Oilers from 1978 to 1988, he led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups.]]
Despite off-season legal issues,<ref name="Spoilers"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1986/05/12/the-joyless-end-of-a-joyride|title=The Joyless End Of a Joyride|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=May 27, 2022|first1=Armen|last1=Keteyian|date=May 12, 1986}}</ref> the Oilers were again the top team in the NHL during the [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86 season]], with 56 wins and 119 points. They won the inaugural [[Presidents' Trophy]], the trophy given to the team with the best regular season record. Gretzky, Kurri, and Anderson each scored 50 goals again.<ref name="Record Breakers"/> Kurri led the NHL in goals with 68, finishing with 131 points. Paul Coffey set a new record for most goals in a season by a defenceman (48) and just missed setting a new record for points by a defenceman with 138 ([[Bobby Orr]] scored 139 in [[1970–71 NHL season|1970–71]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Pelletier |first=Joe |url=http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2009/02/can-defenseman-mike-green-score-50.html |title=Can Defenseman Mike Green Score 50? |publisher=Greatest Hockey Legends |date=February 15, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bov.ch/hockey/season.html |title=Individual Single Season Records |publisher=bov.ch |access-date=November 13, 2010}}</ref> Gretzky also set records for assists (163) and points (215).<ref name="Gretzky Record Book"/> However, the Oilers failed to win their third-straight Stanley Cup, as the Calgary Flames defeated them in seven games in the second round. In the third period of a 2–2 tie during Game 7, [[Steve Smith (ice hockey, born April 30, 1963)|Steve Smith]], a rookie for the Oilers, accidentally sent the puck into his own net on his birthday. This goal stood as the series-winning goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/dynasty_players_stevesmith.html |title=Steve Smith |publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage |access-date=November 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302123853/http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/dynasty_players_stevesmith.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref>

The [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87 season]] saw the Oilers capture their second straight Presidents' Trophy with 50 wins and 106 points. Gretzky and Kurri were first and second in the NHL point-scoring race, while Messier was fourth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1987_leaders.html |title=1986–87 NHL Expanded Leaders |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> Edmonton returned to the Stanley Cup Finals and faced the same opponent as they had in 1985, the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers took a three-games-to-one lead in the series. However, strong goaltending by Flyers' rookie [[Ron Hextall]] forced a Game 7, which the Oilers won, 3–1. In the post-game celebration, Gretzky immediately passed the Stanley Cup to Steve Smith, vindicated after his costly blunder the previous season.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCurdy |first=Bruce |url=http://www.coppernblue.com/2010/2/3/1290260/the-team-that-wouldnt-die |title=The team that wouldn't die-the 1987 Philadelphia Flyers |publisher=The Copper and Blue |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=November 12, 2010}}</ref> Hextall won the Conn Smythe Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18289 |title=Ron Jeffrey Hextall |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 15, 2010}}</ref>

The Oilers began losing star players in [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]]. Paul Coffey sat out the first 21 games of the season before getting traded to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Swift |first=E. |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1987/12/14/116807/the-penguins-are-percolating-a-blockbuster-trade-for-star-defenseman-paul-coffey-has-playoff-hopes-abrewing-in-long-deprived-pittsburgh |title=The Penguins Are Percolating |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 14, 1987 |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> Andy Moog also failed to report; he was tired of being the backup goalie. Moog played for the [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canadian Olympic team]] in the [[1988 Winter Olympics]] before getting traded to the [[Boston Bruins]] for [[Bill Ranford]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Luedeke |first=Kirk |url=http://bruins2010draftwatch.blogspot.com/2009/12/bruins-sweaters-of-past-6-andy-moog.html |title=Bruins Sweaters of the Past #6: Andy Moog |publisher=Bruins 2010 Draft Watch |date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> Despite the changes, the Oilers placed third overall in the NHL. Grant Fuhr started a league-record 75 games (which has now been broken)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/games_goalie_season.html |title=NHL & WHA Single Season Leaders and Records for Games Played |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref> and posted a team-record 40 wins.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goaliesarchive.com/oilers/records.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030504183800/http://www.goaliesarchive.com/oilers/records.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 4, 2003 |title=Edmonton Oilers goaltending records |publisher=Edmonton Oilers |access-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref> In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers dispatched the third-place Winnipeg Jets in five games. The Oilers then defeated first-overall Calgary in a sweep. In the conference finals against the [[Detroit Red Wings]], the Oilers prevailed in five games. The Oilers then swept the [[Boston Bruins]] in four games. The fourth game had to be re-played because of a cancellation. With the score tied 3–3 with 3:23 to play in the second period, a power outage hit the [[Boston Garden]], forcing cancellation of the entire game. The Oilers won the next game (originally scheduled as game five) back in Edmonton 6–3 to complete the series sweep. However, all player statistics for the aborted game four in Boston are counted in the NHL record books. Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy after leading the playoffs in scoring with 43 points. After the Cup-clinching game, Gretzky implored his teammates, coaches, trainers, and others from the Oilers organization to join at centre ice for an impromptu team photo with the Stanley Cup. This started a tradition since continued by every subsequent Stanley Cup champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/54562/this-day-in-sports-wayne-gretzky-caps-oilers-career-with-five-game-sweep |title=This Day in Sports: Wayne Gretzky Caps Oilers Career With Five-Game Sweep |publisher=ESPN |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=November 12, 2010}}</ref> After the season, Fuhr was awarded the [[Vezina Trophy]] as the NHL's top goaltender.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=VZT&year=1987-88 |title=Fuhr, Grant |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 16, 2010}}</ref>

====After Gretzky (1988–1990)====
[[File:Mark Messier 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Mark Messier]] was named the Oilers' team captain shortly following the Gretzky trade.]]
In a surprising and shocking trade, Gretzky, along with enforcer [[Marty McSorley]] and centre [[Mike Krushelnyski]], were traded to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988. In exchange, the Oilers received US$15&nbsp;million, young star [[Jimmy Carson]], 1988 first-round draft choice [[Martin Gélinas|Martin Gelinas]], and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991, and 1993. The trade occurred because Pocklington did not want to risk Gretzky leaving Edmonton without getting anything in return. Gretzky had converted his chance at free agency and refused, which ultimately led to the trade. None of this was public knowledge at the time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Staples |first=David |url=http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/archive/2009/03/11/in-defence-of-peter-pocklington.aspx |title=In defence of Peter Pocklington (and his sale of Wayne Gretzky)&nbsp;... |work=Edmonton Journal |date=March 11, 2009 |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515083521/http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/archive/2009/03/11/in-defence-of-peter-pocklington.aspx |archive-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref> However, the Oilers and their fans were still upset. [[Nelson Riis]], the [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] leader in Canada's [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]], went so far as to ask the government to block the trade.<ref>{{cite web |last=MacNeil |first=Rob |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/08/05/gretzky_trade_rumours_timeline/ |title=The Gretzky Trade: Rumours & Timeline |publisher=Sportsnet.ca |date=August 5, 2008 |access-date=November 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620095200/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/08/05/gretzky_trade_rumours_timeline/ |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Several of the Oilers considered launching a team-wide strike and even considered demanding that Pocklington sell the team.<ref name=p115>{{cite book |last=Klein |first=Jeff |title=Messier |publisher=Doubleday Canada |location=Toronto |year=2004 |page=[https://archive.org/details/messier0000klei/page/115 115] |isbn=0-385-65907-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/messier0000klei/page/115}}</ref>

The loss of Gretzky had an immediate impact in [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89]], as the Oilers were only able to finish in third place in their division. Mark Messier was chosen to succeed Gretzky as captain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=P200703&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Mark Messier |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref> Coincidentally, the Oilers' first-round playoff opponent was Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings. Edmonton took a commanding 3–1 series lead, but Gretzky and the Kings fought back to win the series, winning Game 7 6–3 in Los Angeles. It was the first time since 1982 that the Oilers had been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.

The Oilers underwent more changes during the [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90 season]]. [[John Muckler]] replaced Sather, who remained general manager and became the Oilers' president, as head coach of the team.<ref name="Muckler">{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/legacy/contributions_coaches_johnmuckler.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20101208160558/http://www.oilersheritage.com/legacy/contributions_coaches_johnmuckler.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |title=John Muckler |publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage |access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref> During training camp, Grant Fuhr came down with a severe case of appendicitis. He missed the first ten games of the season and when he returned he suffered a shoulder injury that eventually sidelined him for the remainder of the season.<ref name="Fuhr"/> This marked the emergence of Bill Ranford as a starter. Four games into the season, Jimmy Carson decided the pressure of playing in Edmonton was too intense and he was traded to Detroit with [[Kevin McClelland]] in exchange for [[Petr Klíma|Petr Klima]], [[Adam Graves]], [[Joe Murphy (ice hockey)|Joe Murphy]] and [[Jeff Sharples]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10226 |title=Jimmy Charles Carson |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> The Oilers improved on their previous season, finishing with 38 wins and 90 points, good for fifth place overall in the NHL. Messier had 45 goals and 84 assists for 129 points, good for second in the NHL scoring race (behind only Gretzky).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1990_leaders.html |title=1989–90 NHL Expanded Leaders |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref>

In the first round, the Oilers faced the Winnipeg Jets. Trailing the series 3–1 and trailing Game 5 by an identical score, the Oilers rallied to win the next three and take the series. In the division final, the Oilers met Los Angeles for the second straight season. Edmonton swept the series 4–0, outscoring the Kings 22–10. The Oilers then met the Chicago Blackhawks in the conference finals and fell behind 2–1 in the series. However, the Oilers won the next three games to earn a rematch of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals with Boston. The series is remembered for Game 1, still the longest Stanley Cup Finals game played in the modern NHL. Despite being soundly outshot by the Bruins, the Oilers won the game 3–2 when Klima—benched for much of the game and thus the only player on either team who was not exhausted—scored at 15:13 of the third overtime.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sexton |first=Joe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/16/sports/klima-s-goal-in-3d-overtime-wins-cup-opener-for-oilers.html |title=Klima's Goal in 3d Overtime Wins Cup Opener for Oilers |work=The New York Times |date=May 16, 1990 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> The Oilers defeated the Bruins in five games and won their first Cup without Gretzky. For his superlative goaltending, Bill Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=CST&year=1989-90 |title=Ranford, Bill |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref>

===Decline in success (1990–1996)===
The Oilers lost another important player before the [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91 season]], as Jari Kurri chose to play the entire season with [[HC Devils Milano|Devils Milano]]. Grant Fuhr was suspended for 60 games for drug abuse.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scher |first=Jon |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1993/05/03/128515/stanley-cup-playoffs-twin-peaks-grant-fuhr-of-the-sabres-and-curtis-joseph-of-the-blues-reached-unexpected-heights-in-leading-their-teams-to-shocking-first-round-upsets |title=Twin Peaks |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 3, 1993 |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> The season itself was not great for the Oilers, who finished with 37 wins and 80 points, in third place in the Smythe Division. In the playoffs, the Oilers met the Flames in the opening round, winning a thrilling series in seven games, led by seven goals by [[Esa Tikkanen]]. Despite injuries suffered in the series with Calgary, they next defeated the Los Angeles Kings in six games. However, their success did not continue into the conference finals, as they lost in five games to the Minnesota North Stars.

The final star players from the Oilers left before the [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92 season]]. Fuhr and Glenn Anderson were traded to Toronto,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/20/sports/hockey-oilers-trade-fuhr-and-anderson.html |title=HOCKEY; Oilers Trade Fuhr and Anderson |work=The New York Times |date=September 20, 1991 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> Steve Smith was traded to Chicago,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11529 |title=Steve James Stephen Smith |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref> and Kurri was traded to Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1090338/bio |title=Jari Kurri |publisher=The Internet Movie Database |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref> Charlie Huddy was claimed by Minnesota in the expansion draft,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10674 |title=Charlie William Huddy |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref> and Mark Messier was traded to the [[New York Rangers]] a day after the season began.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bondy |first=Filip |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/05/sports/hockey-rangers-roll-the-dice-and-trade-for-messier.html?ref=mark_messier |title=HOCKEY; Rangers Roll the Dice and Trade for Messier |work=The New York Times |date=October 5, 1991 |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref> The Oilers even lost their head coach, as [[John Muckler]] left to become head coach and general manager of the [[Buffalo Sabres]].<ref name="Muckler"/> [[Ted Green]] replaced Muckler as head coach,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12779 |title=Ted Joseph Green |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref> and Kevin Lowe succeeded Messier as captain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=18693 |title=Kevin Lowe |publisher=Edmonton Oilers |access-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref>

Despite the number of changes, the Oilers produced a comparable season to 1990–91, finishing third in the Smythe Division with 36 wins and 82 points. In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers again met the Los Angeles Kings. Again, for the third time since the Gretzky trade, the Oilers defeated the Kings. In the next round, the Oilers defeated the [[Vancouver Canucks]] in six games to return to the conference finals for the third straight season, this time facing the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the Oilers' unexpected run in the playoffs came to a crashing halt, as the Blackhawks dominated every game and swept the series.

The departures of the stars from the 1980s exposed serious deficiencies in the Oilers' development system. They had done a poor job of drafting during the dynasty years,<ref name="draft"/> and the younger players had not had enough time to develop before the core of the 1980s dynasty left the team. This did not become apparent for a few years; as noted above, the Oilers still had enough heft to make the conference finals two years in a row. However, it was obvious that they were nowhere near being the powerhouse that had dominated the league in the previous half-decade. In [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]], they missed the playoffs for the first time as an NHL team. They did not return to the postseason for four years, despite the emergence of young centremen [[Doug Weight]] and [[Jason Arnott]]. In the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]], the Oilers were placed into the Western Conference's Pacific Division.

===Return to the playoffs and seventh Cup Finals appearance (1996–2006)===
In [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], the Oilers made the playoffs for the first time in five years, thanks to stellar goaltending by [[Curtis Joseph]]. In the first round, they upset the [[Dallas Stars]], who had compiled the league's second-best record, in a seven-game series. The Oilers won game seven on a goal by [[Todd Marchant]] in [[overtime (hockey)|overtime]]. However, the Oilers' surprise playoff run failed to continue, as the Colorado Avalanche defeated them in the next round. In [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]], Joseph led the Oilers to another first-round upset. After Colorado took a 3–1 series lead, the Oilers held them scoreless for eight straight periods en route to winning the series in seven games. Dallas and Edmonton met again in the second round, but this time, the Stars were the victors. The Oilers made the playoffs in four of the next six years, but they were defeated after the first round every time.

[[File:Cal Nichols in 2006.png|thumb|upright|[[Cal Nichols]] spearheaded the [[Edmonton Investors Group]]'s purchase of the Oilers franchise in 1998.]]
Despite their success over the past two seasons, the Oilers were in trouble off the ice. Owner Peter Pocklington had explored moving the Oilers to Minnesota during the 1990s. In 1998, Pocklington almost made a deal to sell the team to [[Leslie Alexander (businessman)|Leslie Alexander]], the owner of the [[Houston Rockets]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), who would have moved the team to [[Houston, Texas]]. On March 14, 1998, hours before the deadline to keep the team in Edmonton, the [[Edmonton Investors Group]] agreed to pay $70&nbsp;million to buy the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2012/09/19/daryl-katz-remembers-buying-an-oilers-team-at-risk-of-leaving-edmonton-but-is-that-how-it-actually-happened |title=Daryl Katz remembers buying an Oilers team "at risk" of leaving Edmonton – but is that how it actually happened? |access-date=May 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910192640/http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2012/09/19/daryl-katz-remembers-buying-an-oilers-team-at-risk-of-leaving-edmonton-but-is-that-how-it-actually-happened/ |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The EIG were spearheaded by [[Cal Nichols]], who committed to retaining NHL hockey in Edmonton. The deal was finalized on May 5,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gasland.com/cal-nichols.php | title=Cal Nichols &#124; Gasland Properties Ltd}}</ref> and thus prevented them from being the third Canadian team to move in the 1990s and the fourth former WHA team to move in successive years (Quebec had moved in 1995, Winnipeg in 1996 and Hartford in 1997). The Oilers received support from the NHL for this very reason.<ref name="loonie">{{cite web |last=Weiner |first=Evan |url=https://www.nysun.com/sports/canada-gains-expansion-value-with-loonie/63509/ |title=Canada Gains Expansion Value With Loonie |publisher=New York Sun |date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=November 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilersheritage.com/legacy/contributions_owners_EIG.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040504045258/http://www.oilersheritage.com/legacy/contributions_owners_EIG.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 4, 2004 |title=Edmonton Investors Group Ltd.-A last-minute reprieve |publisher=Edmonton Oilers Heritage |access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> In the 1998–99 season, the Oilers joined the Western Conference's Northwest Division.

On November 22, 2003, the Oilers hosted the [[2003 Heritage Classic]], the first regular season outdoor hockey game in the NHL's history and part of the celebrations of the Oilers' 25th season in the NHL. They were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens 4–3 in front of more than 55,000 fans, an NHL attendance record, at [[Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)|Commonwealth Stadium]] in Edmonton. The Oilers failed to make the playoffs in the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]].

The Oilers struggled with their small-market status for several years, but after the wiped-out 2004–05 season, they were aided by a [[NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement|Collective Bargaining Agreement]] (CBA) between the NHL owners and players. This included a league-wide salary cap that essentially forced all teams to conform to a budget, as the Oilers had been doing for years.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Kevin |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2009-09-28-nhl-salary-cap_N.htm |title=With NHL's salary cap comes a leveling of the ice |work=USA Today |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> A more reasonable conversion rate of [[Canadian dollar]] revenues to [[US dollar]] payroll in the new millennium also helped the Oilers to return to profitability.<ref name="loonie"/> Because of this, Edmonton was able to acquire [[Chris Pronger]] (former winner of the [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart]] and [[James Norris Memorial Trophy|Norris]] Trophies)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinner.jsp?tro=HMT&year=1999-2000 |title=Pronger, Chris |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> and [[Michael Peca]] (two-time [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] winner)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/selke.html |title=NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy Winners |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> before the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=14984 |title=Chris Robert Pronger |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Peca">{{cite web |last=Ciampa |first=Marc |url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=430843 |title=FEATURE: Peca finds his game |publisher=Edmonton Oilers |date=April 24, 2006 |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Edmonton Oilers Goalie (6) ROLOSON (3308097413).jpg|left|thumb|Acquired through a trade in 2006, [[Dwayne Roloson]] emerged as the Oilers' starting goaltender from 2006 to 2009.]]
The team suffered from inconsistency during the first few months of the regular season, especially in goal and offence. Goaltenders [[Ty Conklin]] and [[Jussi Markkanen]] were unreliable in net and Peca also struggled with offence.<ref name="Peca"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/c/conklty01/gamelog/2006/ |title=Ty Conklin 2005–06 Game Log |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/markkju01/gamelog/2006/ |title=Jussi Markkanen 2005–06 Game Log |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> However, in-season acquisitions, such as defencemen [[Jaroslav Špaček|Jaroslav Spacek]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Edmonton Oilers |url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=429875 |title=Oilers acquire Jaroslav Spacek |publisher=Edmonton Oilers |date=January 26, 2006 |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> and [[Dick Tärnström|Dick Tarnstrom]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10417 |title=Dick Tarnstrom |publisher=Legends of Hockey |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> goaltender [[Dwayne Roloson]] and left winger [[Sergei Samsonov]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Edmonton Oilers |url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=430142 |title=Oilers acquire Sergei Samsonov from Boston |publisher=Edmonton Oilers |date=September 3, 2006 |access-date=November 20, 2010}}</ref> helped Edmonton finish the season with 95 points and clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference over Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006.html |title=2005–06 NHL Season Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>

In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers played the Detroit Red Wings (winners of the Presidents' Trophy).<ref>{{cite web |last=Starkey |first=Ted |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/04/caps-clinch-presidents-trophy/ |title=Caps clinch Presidents' Trophy |work=The Washington Times |date=April 4, 2010 |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref> Despite Detroit's much better regular season record, the Oilers pulled off a six-game upset for their first playoff series win since 1998.<ref name="Oilers season results"/> Edmonton then met the [[San Jose Sharks]] in the conference semifinals. After trailing the series two games to none, the team won the next four and became the first eighth-seeded team to reach a conference final since the NHL changed the playoff format in [[1993–94 NHL season|1994]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Chiasson |first=Paul |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/2006-05-23-ducks-oilers-game3_x.htm |title=Oilers shoot down Mighty Ducks 5–4 to move one win from Stanley Cup finals |work=USA Today |date=May 25, 2006 |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref> There, the Oilers beat the sixth-seeded [[Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] in five games, claiming the [[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]] for a seventh time.

In the [[2006 Stanley Cup Finals]], Edmonton met the [[Carolina Hurricanes]]. During Game 1, the Oilers blew a 3–0 lead, lost Dwayne Roloson for the series after he suffered a knee injury, and ultimately lost 5–4 when Carolina's captain [[Rod Brind'Amour]] scored the winning goal in the final minute after backup goalie Ty Conklin misplayed the puck. From that game forward, the Oilers used Jussi Markkanen in net.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campigotto |first=Jesse |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stanleycup2006/blogs/2006/06/edmonton_vs_carolina_game_2_st.html |title=Edmonton vs. Carolina – Game 2, Stanley Cup Final |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref> Despite trailing the series 2–0 and 3–1, the Oilers forced a Game 7 with a 2–1 win in Game 3, a [[Fernando Pisani]] short-handed overtime winner in Game 5 and a 4–0 shutout for Markkanen in Game 6. However, the Oilers could not complete the comeback as the Hurricanes won Game 7 3–1 to capture their first-ever Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=45638 |title=Franchise Timeline |publisher=Carolina Hurricanes |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>

===Collapse and 10-year playoff drought (2006–2015)===
[[File:2010 NHL Entry Draft 011-Kat.jpg|thumb|[[Daryl Katz]] purchased the Oilers from the Edmonton Investors Group in 2008.]]
In the 2006 off-season, many Oilers left the team. Four days after their loss to the Hurricanes, Chris Pronger surprisingly issued a trade request for personal reasons. Pronger was subsequently traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for [[Joffrey Lupul]], [[Ladislav Šmíd|Ladislav Smid]], and three draft picks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2508253 |title=Oilers trade Pronger to Ducks for Lupul, others |publisher=ESPN |date=July 5, 2006 |access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref> Several Oilers left via free agency and during the season, long-time Oiler [[Ryan Smyth]] was traded to the New York Islanders for [[Ryan O'Marra]], [[Robert Nilsson]] and a first-round pick in the [[2007 NHL entry draft]] (used to select [[Alex Plante]]).<ref name="Smyth trade">{{cite news|title=Oilers trade forward Smyth to Islanders|work=TSN|publisher=The Sports Network|date=February 28, 2007|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=197922&hubname=nhl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219080603/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=197922&hubname=nhl|archive-date=February 19, 2008|access-date=May 20, 2007}}</ref> However, the Oilers were able to re-sign Dwayne Roloson and Fernando Pisani. Having lost so many players, the Oilers posted a 32–43–7 record in [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]], their worst record since the 1995–96 season, and eventually finished in 11th place in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, the Oilers lost various players to injury and illness; at one point, they had 11 players out of the lineup and had to rely on emergency call-ups to fill their roster.<ref>{{cite news|title=Beat-up Oilers have much to play for|work=CBC Sports|publisher =[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=March 7, 2007|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/beat-up-oilers-have-much-to-play-for-1.671478|access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref>

In [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]], the Oilers had a 16–21–4 record after the first half of the season. They improved in the second half of the year, however, going 25–14–2 in 41 games for a final record of 41–35–6. Nonetheless, this was not enough to qualify for the playoffs, as the Oilers finished three points out in ninth place. During the season, [[Daryl Katz]], owner of the [[Rexall|Rexall pharmaceutical company]], purchased the team from the Edmonton Investors Group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/oilers-owner-katz-buys-downtown-site-1.780903 |title=Oilers owner Katz buys downtown site |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=August 27, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> The Oilers announced a restructuring of their hockey operations on July 30, 2008, which saw the promotion of Kevin Lowe to the role of president of hockey operations and was replaced by [[Steve Tambellini]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-announce-new-hockey-ops-structure/c-430443 | title=Oilers announce new Hockey Ops structure}}</ref>

The [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] saw the Oilers finish with a record of 38–35–9, but that was only good enough for 11th in the West. However, one bright spot during the season was Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson, as he became the oldest goaltender to play 60 NHL games in one season.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2009-04-01-ducks-oilers_N.htm |title=Niedermayer's big night drives Ducks past Oilers 5–3 |work=USA Today |date=April 1, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> After the season, the Oilers fired head coach [[Craig MacTavish]] and hired [[Pat Quinn (ice hockey)|Pat Quinn]] as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=423845 |title=Oilers hire Pat Quinn as coach |publisher=National Hockey League |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref>

Roloson left via free agency at the end of the season,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283429 |title=Islanders Sign Roloson to Two-Year Contract |publisher=TSN |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529114208/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283429 |archive-date=May 29, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Oilers replaced him in goal with [[Nikolai Khabibulin]].<ref>{{cite web |author=CBC Sports |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/oilers-ink-khabibulin-for-15m-1.819227 |title=Oilers ink Khabibulin for $15M |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=July 2, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> The Oilers also worked out a trade with the [[Ottawa Senators]] for star right wing [[Dany Heatley]], which would have seen [[Dustin Penner]], Ladislav Smid and [[Andrew Cogliano]] go the other way, but Heatley refused a trade to Edmonton and was later acquired by San Jose.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4298646 |title=Heatley refuses to waive no-trade clause |publisher=ESPN |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/northwest-notebook-heatley-will-hear-plenty-of-boos-in-edmonton/c-507679 | title=Northwest Notebook: Heatley will hear plenty of boos in Edmonton}}</ref> 
Following the season, [[Tom Renney]] replaced Quinn as the Oilers head coach.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Pat-Quinn-out-Tom-Renney-in-as-Oilers-coach-062210 |title=Quinn out as Oilers coach, Renney promoted |work=Fox Sports |date=June 22, 2010 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The one advantage to such a bad season was that the Oilers were able to make the first pick in the [[2010 NHL entry draft]]. The Oilers selected two-time [[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]] winner [[Taylor Hall]] from the [[Windsor Spitfires]] with their pick.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-select-hall-with-1st-overall-choice/c-532689 | title=Oilers select Hall with 1st overall choice}}</ref> They used the off-season to begin the rebuild of the club around their young talent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/hall-key-in-oilers-plans-to-get-younger-faster/c-535579 | title=Hall key in Oilers' plans to get younger, faster}}</ref> [[Patrick O'Sullivan (ice hockey)|Patrick O'Sullivan]] was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for [[Jim Vandermeer]], [[Robert Nilsson]] was bought out of his contract and Oilers captain [[Ethan Moreau]] was placed on waivers and claimed by the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]. Along with these players, several others were allowed to enter free agency, including [[Mike Comrie]], [[Marc-Antoine Pouliot]] and [[Ryan Potulny]]. Also during the off-season, radio announcer [[Rod Phillips (broadcaster)|Rod Phillips]] announced his retirement. Phillips had been the Oilers' play-by-play announcer since [[1973–74 WHA season|1973–74]]. Phillips called ten specific games in [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]] before calling it quits.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=National Hockey League |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530427 |title=Oilers radio announcer Rod Phillips to retire |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The [[2010–11 Edmonton Oilers season]] is documented in the series ''[[Oil Change (TV series)|Oil Change]]''.

[[File:Blues vs. Oilers-9077 (6645597239).jpg|left|thumb|upright|The Oilers drafted [[Taylor Hall]] with the first overall pick in the [[2010 NHL entry draft|2010]] draft. He played with the Oilers from 2010 to 2016.]]
The 2010–11 season brought a new look to the Edmonton Oilers line-up, when [[Shawn Horcoff]] was selected to succeed Ethan Moreau as team captain. Horcoff had become the Oilers' longest-serving player by this point.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/horcoff-named-oilers-13th-captain/c-539702 | title=Horcoff named Oilers 13th captain}}</ref> Taylor Hall, [[Jordan Eberle]] and [[Magnus Pääjärvi|Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson]] all made their NHL debuts for the team. Despite the influx of their young talent, Edmonton still found themselves at the bottom of the standings. In an attempt to gain valuable prospects and draft picks, Dustin Penner was traded from the Oilers to Los Angeles on February 28, 2011, in exchange for [[Colten Teubert]], a first-round draft pick in [[2011 NHL entry draft|2011]] (used to select [[Oscar Klefbom]]) and a conditional third-round pick in [[2012 NHL entry draft|2012]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=554520|title=Kings acquire Penner for prospect, picks|publisher=National Hockey League|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> At the end of the season, the Oilers were at the bottom of the standings and received the right to choose first overall in the upcoming [[2011 NHL entry draft]]. The Oilers selected [[Ryan Nugent-Hopkins]] with the first overall selection, along with several other "blue chip" prospects. During the 2011 off-season, the team again made several moves to bolster the offence and defence, re-acquiring fan favourite Ryan Smyth from Los Angeles for [[Colin Fraser (ice hockey)|Colin Fraser]] and a seventh-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-re-acquire-ryan-smyth-from-kings/c-567391 | title=Oilers re-acquire Ryan Smyth from Kings}}</ref> The team also traded with the Anaheim Ducks to acquire [[Andy Sutton]] for [[Kurtis Foster]]. [[Sheldon Souray]], who played the entire 2010–11 season in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) with the [[Hershey Bears]], was bought out of the last year of his contract.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/oilers-buy-out-veteran-sourays-contract/wcm/92f99684-5b21-4928-8e28-bb0e55672121/ | title=Oilers buy out veteran Souray's contract | newspaper=National Post | date=June 30, 2011 | last1=Matheson | first1=Jim}}</ref> These moves, coupled with the signings of [[Éric Bélanger|Eric Belanger]], [[Cam Barker]], [[Ben Eager]] and [[Darcy Hordichuk]], changed the complexion of the team, to add "grit and toughness". However, the Oilers were again unable to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth-straight season, as they finished 14th in the Western Conference.

On May 17, 2012, a month after the ending of the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], the Oilers announced they would not renew the contract of head coach Tom Renney.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-part-ways-with-head-coach-tom-renney-after-two-losing-seasons/c-631944 | title=Edmonton Oilers part ways with head coach Tom Renney after two losing seasons}}</ref> The following month, Edmonton selected [[Nail Yakupov]] as the first overall pick at the [[2012 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-select-nail-yakupov-1st-overall-in-nhl-draft-1.1164890 |title=Oilers select Nail Yakupov 1st overall in NHL Draft |date=June 23, 2012 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBCSports.ca |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> A week later, [[Ralph Krueger]] was named as the Oilers' new head coach on June 27, being promoted from his role as associate coach the season previous.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-name-ralph-krueger-11th-head-coach-in-franchise-history/c-636235 | title=Oilers name Ralph Krueger 11th head coach in franchise history}}</ref> Three days later, Edmonton announced they had agreed to terms with sought-after free agent defenceman [[Justin Schultz]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Oilers agree to terms with highly sought-after free agent, Justin Schultz |url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636627 |date=June 30, 2012|publisher=Edmonton Oilers}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/highly-sought-after-defenceman-justin-schultz-chooses-oilers/article4382932/ |title=Highly sought after defenceman Justin Schultz chooses Oilers |author=Johnston, Chris |date=July 1, 2012 |agency=The Canadian Press |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=July 9, 2012}}</ref>

The [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]] start was delayed from its original date of October 11, 2012, due to a [[2012–13 NHL lockout|labour lock-out]] imposed by the NHL franchise owners after the expiration of the NHL's CBA. After a new labour agreement was reached between the owners and the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] (NHLPA), training camps opened on January 13, 2013, and a 48-game season (reduced from 82 games) commenced on January 19. The Oilers played their first game of the shortened season a day later, on January 20.

On January 23, to ensure the health of the Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton and for the planned revitalization of [[downtown Edmonton]], the City of Edmonton council voted 10–3 to approval a deal that saw a new $480&nbsp;million arena built in Edmonton's downtown core for the start of the 2016–17 season. [[Rogers Communications]] announced it had the naming rights to the new arena on December 3, 2013; the new 18,641-seat arena was called [[Rogers Place]].<ref name="RogersPlace" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-city-council-approves-new-arena-deal/ | title=Edmonton city council approves new arena deal | newspaper=National Post | date=October 27, 2011 | last1=Kent | first1=Gordon}}</ref>

[[File:Andrew Ference - Edmonton Oilers.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Andrew Ference]] played with the Oilers from 2013 to 2016. He was named team captain in 2013.]]
After 41 games into the shortened season and with the Oilers mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for a seventh successive time, Edmonton terminated Steve Tambellini's contract as general manager, where he was replaced with former head coach Craig MacTavish.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-appoint-craig-mactavish-as-general-manager/c-665880 | title=Oilers appoint Craig MacTavish as general manager}}</ref> Following the end of the season, on June 8, MacTavish fired Ralph Krueger after just one season as head coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/ralph-krueger-relieved-of-duties-as-head-coach/c-673322 | title=Ralph Krueger relieved of duties as head coach}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/22380706/oilers-coach-ralph-krueger-was-fired-over-skype |title=Oilers coach Ralph Krueger says he was fired over Skype |access-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621032856/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/22380706/oilers-coach-ralph-krueger-was-fired-over-skype |url-status=dead}}</ref> Two days later, it was announced Krueger was to be replaced by former [[Toronto Marlies]] head coach [[Dallas Eakins]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/629189/edmonton-oilers-news-conference-monday-afternoon/ | title=Edmonton Oilers name Dallas Eakins new head coach}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/oilers-fire-steve-tambellini-name-craig-mactavish-new-gm-1.1328859|title=Oilers fire Steve Tambellini, name Craig MacTavish new GM|date=April 15, 2013|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> One of MacTavish's first player moves as Oilers' general manager came at the [[2013 NHL entry draft]], as Edmonton used their seventh overall selection to draft defenceman [[Darnell Nurse]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-select-darnell-nurse-seventh-overall-in-the-2013-nhl-draft/c-675801 | title=Oilers select Darnell Nurse seventh overall in the 2013 NHL Draft}}</ref> More moves came on July 5, during free agency, which saw MacTavish trade captain Shawn Horcoff to the Dallas Stars in exchange for [[Philip Larsen]]. MacTavish also signed Andrew Ference, [[Boyd Gordon]], [[Jason LaBarbera]], [[Will Acton]], [[Ryan Hamilton (ice hockey)|Ryan Hamilton]] and [[Jesse Joensuu]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/busy-free-agency-day-as-oilers-add-seven/c-676956 | title=Busy Free Agency Day as Oilers add seven}}</ref> Ference was later announced as the 14th captain in Oilers NHL franchise history on September 29.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/ference-named-captain/c-684686 | title=Ference named captain}}</ref> [[Aleš Hemský|Ales Hemsky]] and Ryan Smyth, who after the Horcoff trade became the last remaining members of the Oilers' 2006 Stanley Cup finalists still with the team, departed the Oilers franchise, as Hemsky was traded to the Ottawa Senators on March 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-hemsky-reflects-on-trade-and-edmonton/c-26820 | title=BLOG: Hemsky reflects on trade and Edmonton}}</ref> Smyth (who had previously left the Oilers in 2007, but had returned in 2011) announced his retirement on April 11,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/ryan-smyth-set-to-play-final-national-hockey-league-game/c-714061 | title=Ryan Smyth set to play final National Hockey League game}}</ref> playing his final NHL game on April 13, where he was ceremoniously named team captain.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-ference-talks-about-giving-smyth-the-c/c-28300 | title=BLOG: Ference talks about giving Smyth the 'C'}}</ref>

On December 15, 2014, after 31 games of the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], MacTavish announced Dallas Eakins had been terminated as head coach. MacTavish assumed the role of interim coach while [[Todd Nelson (ice hockey)|Todd Nelson]] transitioned into the role for the remainder of the season. Nelson was previously serving as the head coach of the [[Oklahoma City Barons]], the Oilers' then-AHL affiliate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-dallas-eakins-relieved-of-duties/c-34859 | title=BLOG: Dallas Eakins Relieved of Duties}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=744131&navid=nhl:topheads|title=Nelson hopes to bring winning ways to Oilers|date=December 15, 2014|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> Three days later, the Oilers released a statement that their affiliation with the Barons would cease at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/statement-from-the-edmonton-oilers-oklahoma-city-barons-affiliation/c-744657 | title=Statement from the Edmonton Oilers – Oklahoma City Barons Affiliation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news9.com/story/27661845/okc-barons-to-cease-operations-at-end-of-current-season|title=OKC Barons To Cease Operations At End Of Current Season|date=December 18, 2014|publisher=news9.com|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref>

Following Edmonton's decision not to renew affiliation with the Barons, the Oilers relocated their AHL franchise from [[Oklahoma City]], [[Oklahoma]], to [[Bakersfield, California]]. This move was announced on January 29, 2015, as part of the AHL's new Pacific Division, which included the Oilers' affiliation in Bakersfield.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-join-ahl-in-announcing-pacific-division/c-750918 | title=Oilers join AHL in announcing Pacific Division}}</ref> The following month, on February 25, the team was given its new identity, the [[Bakersfield Condors (AHL)|Bakersfield Condors]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-bakersfield-to-remain-as-condors/c-37412 | title=BLOG: Bakersfield to remain as Condors}}</ref> On April 2, the Condors released their new logo.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/blog-condors-unveil-new-logo/c-38556 | title=BLOG: Condors unveil new logo}}</ref> Off-season moves failed to help the Oilers as they finished behind Arizona in the NHL during [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]]. It was also easily their worst season as an NHL team.

===McDavid–Draisaitl era (2015–present)===
[[File:Connor McDavid 07042015.jpg|left|thumb|upright|The Oilers drafted [[Connor McDavid]] first overall in the [[2015 NHL entry draft|2015]] draft. He was named the Oilers' 15th team captain in 2016 and the youngest in NHL history.]]
The Oilers won the 2015 draft lottery on April 18, moving them from the third-overall pick to first, marking their fourth lottery win in six seasons.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tsn.ca/oilers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-1.260753 | title=Oilers win NHL Draft lottery – TSN.ca | date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> The Oilers selected [[Connor McDavid]] first overall in the [[2015 NHL entry draft]] held in Sunrise, Florida, on June 26.

On April 24, Craig MacTavish was removed from his position as general manager and was replaced by former Boston Bruins general manager [[Peter Chiarelli (ice hockey)|Peter Chiarelli]], who was also appointed president of hockey operations as part of other related changes.<ref name="Chiarelli Hiring">{{cite web|title=Oilers Entertainment Group Announces Changes to Senior Management|url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=765014|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=EdmontonOilers.com|access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> In Chiarelli's first transactions as Oilers general manager, he traded a first and a second-round pick during the first day of the [[2015 NHL entry draft]] to the New York Islanders, in exchange for defenceman [[Griffin Reinhart]]. Chiarelli again made trades the following day and traded another second-, a third- and a seventh-round draft pick to the New York Rangers, to acquire goaltender [[Cam Talbot]] and the Rangers' seventh-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-get-goalie-talbot-from-rangers-for-three-picks/c-772576 | title=Oilers get goalie Talbot from Rangers for three picks}}</ref> On May 19, [[Todd McLellan]] was named the new head coach of the Oilers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-name-todd-mclellan-head-coach/c-768169 | title=Oilers Name Todd McLellan Head Coach}}</ref> He and his former team, the San Jose Sharks, mutually agreed to part ways on April 20 after the Sharks failed to qualify for the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-mclellan-mutually-agree-to-part-ways/c-764211 | title=Sharks, McLellan mutually agree to part ways}}</ref> More coaching changes came on June 4 when [[Keith Acton]] and [[Craig Ramsay]] were relieved of their duties.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-announce-changes-to-coaching-staff/c-40101 | title=Oilers announce changes to coaching staff}}</ref>

In addition to these coaching changes, the Oilers also made some changes to their scouting staff on June 22, which saw both head amateur and professional scouts Stu MacGregor and Morey Gare relieved of their duties. Amateur scouts Brad Davis and Kent Hawley, and professional scouts Dave Semenko and [[Billy Moores]], who served as director of coaching and special projects, were also relieved of their duties.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-announce-changes-to-hockey-operations-and-scouting-staff/c-771656 | title=Oilers Announce Changes to Hockey Operations and Scouting Staff}}</ref> Further changes came on October 7, when the Oilers elected to begin the [[2014–15 NHL season|2015–16 season]] without a team captain; this marked the first time they had done so since entering the NHL, in 1979. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Andrew Ference, who had served as team captain the previous two seasons, were all named as alternate captains.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-name-four-alternate-captains-for-2015-16-season/c-782173 | title=Oilers name four alternate captains for 2015–16 season}}</ref>

On February 27, 2016, mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Oilers traded defenceman Justin Schultz to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], in exchange for a third-round pick in the [[2016 NHL entry draft]]. Before his trade, Schultz endured the worst season of his professional career, with just 10 points in 45 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-trade-justin-schultz-to-penguins/c-279200068|title=Penguins acquire defenseman Schultz from Oilers|last=Cosby|first=Wes|publisher=National Hockey League|date=February 27, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref>

After the 2015–16 season, the Oilers prepared to move from [[Rexall Place]], their home since 1974, to newly built Rogers Place. On April 6, in their final home game at Rexall, the Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6–2.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-defeat-canucks-close-rexall-place/c-280167346 | title=Oilers exit Rexall Place with win against Canucks}}</ref> Before the game, the Oilers held a ceremony honouring the history of the arena. Oilers' alumni, including Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, skated around the rink one more time.

In a one-for-one trade on June 29, Edmonton dealt all-star winger Taylor Hall to the [[New Jersey Devils]], in exchange for defenceman [[Adam Larsson]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-trade-taylor-hall-to-devils-for-adam-larsson/c-281082608 | title=Oilers trade Hall to Devils for Larsson}}</ref> Following the Hall trade, Chiarelli also pursued impending free agent [[Milan Lucic]], signing him to a seven-year contract, in a bid to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Chiarelli and Lucic were already familiar with each other, during their time together with the Boston Bruins.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/milan-lucic-signs-with-edmonton-oilers/c-281092610 | title=Milan Lucic signs seven-year contract with Oilers}}</ref> On October 5, 19-year-old Connor McDavid was named the 15th captain of the Oilers; McDavid was the youngest team captain in NHL history, having broken the record previously held by Colorado Avalanche captain [[Gabriel Landeskog]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/edmonton-oilers-name-connor-mcdavid-captain/c-282396994 | title=Edmonton Oilers name Connor McDavid Captain | date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> The Oilers made further moves to their roster a few days later, when they traded Nail Yakupov to the [[St. Louis Blues]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nail-yakupov-traded-to-blues/c-282481580 | title=Nail Yakupov traded to Blues by Oilers}}</ref> and signed free-agent defenceman [[Kris Russell]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oilers-sign-defenceman-kris-russell/c-282484920 | title=Oilers sign defenceman Kris Russell | date=October 8, 2016}}</ref>

The [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]] was a great success for the team. After defeating the Los Angeles Kings 2–1 on March 28, 2017, the Oilers qualified for the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs]], ending their 11-year drought. The Oilers finished with a 47–26–9 record, thanks largely to a 100-point season from McDavid and breakout performances from fellow forwards [[Leon Draisaitl]] and [[Patrick Maroon]], whilst backstopped with strong play from netminder Cam Talbot. McDavid led the entire league with 70 assists and 100 points, earning himself both the [[Art Ross Trophy]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-art-ross-trophy-winner/c-288632376 | title=Connor McDavid of Oilers wins Art Ross Trophy}}</ref> and [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], as his team's [[most valuable player]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-mcdavid-wins-hart-trophy-mvp/c-290050176 | title=Connor McDavid of Oilers wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP}}</ref> Talbot also set a new franchise record, with a total of 42 games won by a goaltender, surpassing the 40 games won by Grant Fuhr, during the 1987–88 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/game-story-oilers-4-sharks-2/c-288510690 | title=GAME STORY: Oilers 4, Sharks 2 | date=April 7, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Edmonton Oilers 2017 Playoff Scene (34311884396).jpg|thumb|[[Rogers Place]] during the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. The Oilers moved into Rogers Place before the start of the 2016–17 season.]]
In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers eliminated the San Jose Sharks, following a 3–1 win in Game 6, to secure their first playoff series win since 2006. Their playoff run was stopped on May 10, losing to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 with a 2–1 loss, ending the second-round series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/m/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers-san-jose-sharks-nhl-1.4081673|title=Oilers knock off Sharks, set up 2nd round date with Ducks|last=Pollak|first=David|date=April 23, 2017|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=May 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/live-edmonton-oilers-vs-anaheim-ducks-game-7|title=Oilers fall short in Game 7, bow out to Ducks|work=Edmonton Journal|first=Robert|last=Tychkowski|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/referees-ruin-the-game-as-anaheim-ducks-beat-oilers-4-3-in-overtime|title=Referees ruin the game as Ducks beat Oilers 4–3 in overtime|work=Edmonton Journal|first=David|last=Staples|date=May 4, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gohabsgo.com/2017/05/06/video-ducks-score-controversial-goal-to-send-game-/|title=VIDEO: Ducks Score Controversial Goal To Send Game Into OT|publisher=Go Habs Go!|date=May 6, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510142742/http://www.gohabsgo.com/2017/05/06/video-ducks-score-controversial-goal-to-send-game-/|archive-date=May 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the 2017 off-season, the Oilers traded Jordan Eberle to the New York Islanders, in exchange for forward [[Ryan Strome]], to gain salary relief. The Oilers signed both McDavid and Draisaitl to 8-year contracts worth $100 million and $68 million, carrying annual cap hits of $12.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively. The Oilers had high expectations coming into the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], as many expected to make progress off of their surprising year in 2016–17. However, the Oilers regressed, posting a 36–40–6 record and missing the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons.

On January 22, 2019, the Oilers terminated Chiarelli's employment as president and general manager. [[Keith Gretzky]] was appointed interim general manager the following day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spector |first1=Mark |title=Oilers fire GM, president of hockey operations Peter Chiarelli |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-fire-gm-president-hockey-operations-peter-chiarelli/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref> The Oilers again missed the playoffs, posting a 35–38–9 record and having only qualified for the playoffs once in 13 seasons.

====After COVID and playoff appearances (2020–present)====
On May 7, 2019, the Oilers announced the appointment of [[Ken Holland]] as general manager.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2019/05/07/edmonton-names-ken-holland-as-gm-president-of-hockey-ops/39456011/ | title=Edmonton names Ken Holland as GM, president of hockey ops | website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Three weeks later, the Oilers named [[Dave Tippett]] as the team's new head coach, on May 28.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers-name-dave-tippett-head-coach/|title=Edmonton Oilers name Dave Tippett head coach|website=Sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Digital Media|access-date=August 2, 2019|date=May 29, 2019|last=Spector|first=Mark}}</ref> In the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]], the Oilers showed some hope; the team had a record of 37–25–9 on March 12, 2020, when the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta|COVID-19 pandemic]] suspended the season. Edmonton was chosen as one of the two host cities of the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs]] and qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference; however, the team was upset by the Chicago Blackhawks in four games in the preliminary round.

In the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]], the Oilers finished second in the [[North Division (NHL)|North Division]] with a 35–19–2 record, largely due to a 105-point season from Connor McDavid, only the ninth player to reach the mark in 53 games. Additionally, Leon Draisaitl had an excellent season, as the runner-up in NHL league scoring, with 84 points. McDavid's 105-point season earned him a unanimous second [[Hart Trophy]] win as the most valuable player in the NHL, becoming the second unanimous winner in league history (along with Wayne Gretzky in 1981–82).<ref>{{cite web|title=McDavid of Oilers wins Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-connor-mcdavid-wins-hart-trophy-nhl-mvp-award/c-325520532|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Oilers faced the third place team in the North Division the [[Winnipeg Jets]] in the First Round of the playoffs. The Oilers were swept in four games by the Jets, and three of the Oilers' losses came in overtime, including the final game, which went to triple overtime. [[Darnell Nurse]] logged 62 minutes and 7 seconds of ice time in the final game, third-most in NHL history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oilers' Darnell Nurse: Over an hour ice time in loss|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/oilers-darnell-nurse-over-an-hour-ice-time-in-loss/|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=CBSSports.com|date=May 25, 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Rogers Place ahead of Oilers v Kings Game 7.jpg|thumb|Fans outside [[Rogers Place]] during the first round of the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs]].]]
In the 2021–22 season, the Oilers finished with 49–27–6, their first 40-win season since 2017. McDavid had a career-high 123 points and the Oilers clinched second place in the Pacific Division. The Oilers faced the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in the First Round of the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. After struggling at first, the Oilers managed to cling on and win an extremely close series with a [[shutout]] in Game 7 to advance to the Second Round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oilers vs Kings |url=https://www.nhl.com/stanley-cup-playoffs/2022/oilers-vs-kings-series-h |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> There, they faced their provincial rival [[Calgary Flames]] for the first since 1991. The series was a tight battle, leading to the Oilers triumphing over the Flames in five games. The series was a part of the iconic [[Battle of Alberta]] which is known for its excessive amount of high-scoring games and brutality.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flames vs Oilers |url=https://www.nhl.com/stanley-cup-playoffs/2022/flames-vs-oilers-series-l |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Oilers advanced to the conference finals for the first time since [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs#(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers|2006]] where they were swept in four games by the eventual Stanley Cup champion [[Colorado Avalanche]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clipperton |first=Joshua |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Oilers eliminated in OT as Avalanche complete sweep to reach Stanley Cup final |page=1 |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/edmontoin-oilers-colorado-avalanche-game-4-nhl-playoffs-recap-1.6479326 |access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref>

In the 2022–23 season, the Oilers had three players Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each reach the 100-point milestone. This milestone from the trio marks the first NHL season since 1995–96 where one team had three players score 100 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oilers become first team since 1995–96 to have 3 100-point scorers |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-oilers-become-first-team-since-1995-96-to-have-3-100-point-scorers-134511865.html |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=Yahoo Sports |date=April 6, 2023}}</ref> The Oilers finished 50–23–9 with their first 50-win season since the 1986–87 season, recording 109 points and clinched the second seed in the Pacific Division, earning an opening round playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Kings for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Oilers vs. Kings |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/2023-stanley-cup-playoff-preview-oilers-vs-kings/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Draisaitl's late goal pushes Oilers past Kings and into second in Pacific Division |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/draisaitls-late-goal-pushes-oilers-past-kings-and-into-second-in-pacific-division/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> Connor McDavid had a career-high scoring 153 points, recording the highest single season point total in the salary cap era.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McDavid, Oilers set multiple high marks with historic offensive season |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/mcdavid-oilers-set-multiple-high-marks-with-historic-offensive-season/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> After defeating the Kings in six games, they were eliminated in the Second Round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion [[Vegas Golden Knights]], also in six games.

In the 2023–24 season, the Oilers started with a disappointing 3–9–1 record which led to the dismissals of head coach [[Jay Woodcroft]] and assistant coach [[Dave Manson]] on November 12, 2023. But by the end of the season, the Oilers finished with a 49–27–6 record, being 46–18–5 under new head coach [[Kris Knoblauch]] and clinched the second seed in the Pacific Division, earning an opening round playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Kings for the third consecutive year. During the season, the Oilers went on a 16-game win streak which began on December 21, 2023, against the New Jersey Devils and ended on February 6, 2024, against the Vegas Golden Knights. [[Zach Hyman]] scored a personal high 54 goals to finish as the team leader in goals scored and Connor McDavid became the fourth player since [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91]] to record 100 assists in a single NHL season, joining former Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky and Hockey Hall of Famers, [[Mario Lemieux]] and [[Bobby Orr]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=McDavid 4th NHL player to reach 100-assist milestone, joining Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/connor-mcdavid-100-assist-milestone-oilers-nhl-1.7175075 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=CBC.ca}}</ref> After beating the Los Angeles Kings for the third consecutive year in the first round, the Vancouver Canucks in the second round, and the Dallas Stars in the conference finals, the Oilers won their eighth [[Clarence S. Campbell Bowl]] and made it to the [[Stanley Cup Finals]] for the first time since [[2006 Stanley Cup Finals|2006]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oilers top Stars 2–1 for West title, will play Florida in the Stanley Cup Final |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/oilers-top-stars-2-1-024218531.html |access-date=June 17, 2024 |website=Yahoo Sports |date=June 3, 2024}}</ref> They faced the [[Florida Panthers]] losing in seven games after trailing 3–0 in the [[2024 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Clipperton |first=Joshua |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Oilers fall short of history as Panthers win Game 7 to capture 1st Stanley Cup title |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/stanley-cup-final-oilers-panthers-game-7-recap-1.7245053 |work=CBC |access-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> Connor McDavid, however, won the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]].

On June 27, 2024, three days after the Oilers' loss in the Finals, and with his contract expiring, the Oilers and general manager Holland announced that they had mutually decided to part ways. CEO of hockey operations [[Jeff Jackson (ice hockey, born 1965)|Jeff Jackson]] subsequently assumed the role of interim general manager.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/ken-holland-will-not-return-as-oilers-general-manager |title=Holland will not return as Oilers general manager; contract expires July 1 |website=NHL.com |date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024}}</ref> On July 24, the Oilers hired former [[Chicago Blackhawks]] general manager [[Stan Bowman]] as their new general manager, three weeks after being reinstated from his suspension relating to the [[2009–10 Chicago Blackhawks season#Sexual abuse scandal|Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/stan-bowman-hired-as-edmonton-gm-replaces-ken-holland |title=Stan Bowman hired as Oilers general manager, replaces Holland |website=NHL.com |date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=July 24, 2024}}</ref>