Editing Edmonton Oilers (section)

===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>