For a franchise that joined the league 50 years after the Boston Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers have an exceptional lore about them.
Early in the 2026-27 season, veteran Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is poised to pass Kevin Lowe on the all-time Oilers games played list. Lowe’s record has held for almost 30 years, and I wonder now if the Nuge will hold the crown for the rest of my lifetime. I think he might.
Leon Draisaitl isn’t far behind, and was chosen three years later. Odds favour Leon getting more NHL games. I’m not sure they will be in Edmonton, and that answer won’t come for at least a couple of seasons, maybe more.
- Draisaitl career: 855GP, 434-619-1053
- Messer career: 851GP, 392-642-1034
I’m struck by how similar these numbers are, and how impressive Draisaitl looks alongside Messier. Draisaitl is playing in a lower scoring era, as Messier was off to Manattan by fall 1991. Two all-time greats, man we’ve been lucky to watch this show.
Connor McDavid is on his own moon (709GP, 409-811-1120), he’s a dream player who makes the impossible routine. I cannot begin to describe what he means to this franchise.
Gretzky is out there beyond the farthest possible star, his Oilers career (696GP, 583-1086-1669) totals a road hockey lifetime delivered against the best men on the planet.
I remember when Gretzky’s rights were sold (it was a sale), John Short told me Edmonton would never be the same, and neither would 99. That’s the reality of change. All we can hope for is to recognize the best times as they happen. These are the good old days.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest will be Jason Gregor and we’ll talk Elks, Oilers, Jays at the trade deadline and more. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube. See you on the radio!
An Edmonton Oilers roster tweak that could help their Stanley Cup chances
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7471196/2026/07/27/edmonton-oilers-trade-targets-roster-centre-depth/
At times the stats that are brought up during the season and playoff runs for our dynamic duo are just incredible to witness and process exactly what’s being accomplished. I find this Messier stat to be of that nature.
I know we had the balance photo a couple years back, but this year feels different. Like Bowman is at a major poker tournament, he has the cap space, and I’m just waiting for his “all in” moment. Sadly, that will mean even more picks and prospects out but every living person on the planet knows McDavid has to win a cup, at this point, it’s just necessary.
The Connor McDavid on his own moon paragraph, the math doesn’t add up for his total points LT