Editing Edmonton Oilers (section)

===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>