What Could Have Been if the Oilers Hadn’t Traded Wayne Gretzky
T
The Hockey Writers
Summary: This is a summary of an article originally published by The Hockey Writers. Read the full original article here →
The article explores the alternate history of the Edmonton Oilers and the trajectory their franchise could have taken had they not traded away Wayne Gretzky in 1988. Gretzky, widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time, was the cornerstone of the Oilers' dynasty in the 1980s, leading them to four Stanley Cup championships. The ramifications of this monumental trade not only affected the Oilers' future but also the landscape of the NHL itself.
Had the Oilers retained Gretzky, it's plausible they would have continued their championship run, potentially adding more titles to their already impressive collection. The combination of Gretzky's exceptional skill, vision, and leadership with a supporting cast of fellow stars like Mark Messier and Jari Kurri could have created an unprecedented hockey dynasty, further solidifying Edmonton's dominance in the league.
The article also delves into the impact on the Los Angeles Kings, who benefited immensely from acquiring Gretzky. The trade transformed the Kings from a struggling franchise into a competitive team, helping to popularize hockey in Southern California and attracting marquee players to the league. A Gretzky-less Oilers and a better-performing Kings could have vastly altered the dynamics of the NHL during the late 20th century.
In summary, the hypothetical scenario of Gretzky remaining with the Oilers raises compelling questions about legacy, team success, and the overall evolution of hockey. Fans are left to wonder what records could have been shattered and how the history of hockey might have been rewritten if the greatest player had never left Edmonton.
Had the Oilers retained Gretzky, it's plausible they would have continued their championship run, potentially adding more titles to their already impressive collection. The combination of Gretzky's exceptional skill, vision, and leadership with a supporting cast of fellow stars like Mark Messier and Jari Kurri could have created an unprecedented hockey dynasty, further solidifying Edmonton's dominance in the league.
The article also delves into the impact on the Los Angeles Kings, who benefited immensely from acquiring Gretzky. The trade transformed the Kings from a struggling franchise into a competitive team, helping to popularize hockey in Southern California and attracting marquee players to the league. A Gretzky-less Oilers and a better-performing Kings could have vastly altered the dynamics of the NHL during the late 20th century.
In summary, the hypothetical scenario of Gretzky remaining with the Oilers raises compelling questions about legacy, team success, and the overall evolution of hockey. Fans are left to wonder what records could have been shattered and how the history of hockey might have been rewritten if the greatest player had never left Edmonton.