I am about to spend a little time on rookies, and wanted to lay the groundwork this morning. The best rookie crop in Oilers history was 1979-80. We don’t talk about it much because the NHL didn’t recognize players like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier because they played in the WHA in 1978-79. Ironic, since the league treated the WHA like a pickup hockey league in every other way. Let’s get to the point. The 1979-80 Oilers rookie crop was the greatest of all time. Here’s a look.
1979-80
Total Rookies of Interest: 14
1979 Draft Notes: No. 21 overall Kevin Lowe was ranked No. 12 among 1959-born draft eligible players. The Oilers had him rated ‘anywhere from No. 10 to No. 13 overall’ on draft day.
Best Player as a Rookie: Wayne Gretzky. He was the best player in the league. Although not technically a rookie, because the NHL decided it one day, the young man from Brantford, Ontario was beyond ridiculous from the start. Bruce McCurdy knew he was the best player who ever lived early on, and the rest of us caught up by the first NHL spring in Edmonton.
Second Best Player as a Rookie: Blair MacDonald. A WHA veteran, this was his first NHL season at 25. He scored 46 goals and 94 points riding shotgun with 99. Not a fast skater, he had a great shot and fell ass over tea kettle into the grandest luck this side of Rob Brown. Like Brown, it would be a mistake to discount the natural talent of MacDonald.
Oldest Rookie: RD Bryon Baltimore was 27, and played his only two NHL games in this season. Another WHA vet, Baltimore hung around the minors for a little while afterward. He was well regarded by his teammates as a tough-as-nails defender and had a wicked sense of humor. Must have been smart, too.
Oldest Rookie Who Played a Lot: MacDonald.
Most Unusual Story: Mark Messier. Not Messier per se, but Punch Imlach about Mark Messier. In his book about his career with Toronto and Buffalo in the 1970s, Imlach wrote about the 1979 draft. He blamed his scouts (Imlach always blamed someone) for taking Laurie Boschman and not Brian Propp (both Brandon Wheat Kings) in the first round, and then threw his scouts under the bus again for sins not even committed in the third round. He wrote that he asked about Messier being available, and was told by scouts that 11 would not be taken in 1979. Only two picks before the Toronto turn, Edmonton called the Moose. That meant Imlach didn’t have a story, but the bugger used it in his book anyway. Lordy.
Another Unusual Story: When the Indianapolis Racers sold Gretzky to Edmonton, part of the money procured was used to sign Mark Messier just three days after the 99 sale.
Yet Another Unusual Story: Kevin Lowe was told the 1979 draft (via telephone) was to start at 10am. He expected a call from Alan Eagleson around 10:15 to tell him which team had selected him in the first round. Lowe waited, and waited, and waited. By 10:45am the phone hadn’t rung and Lowe’s mom said “My God, they’re not drafting him.” A mixup in the phone lines caused a one hour delay, but the Lowe household was not aware of it. At 11:10, Eagleson’s secretary called with the news Edmonton had chosen Lowe—21st overall.
Here’s One: Glen Sather was impressed by Mark Messier as he played AGAINST the Oilers in the 78-79 season (WHA). Edmonton’s Dennis Sobchuk was a pretty good player and legend has it he thought he could take the kid in the Cincinnati Stinger uniform. Messier apparently had a slight edge in punches. 12-0. Sather noticed and picked him 48th overall in the deepest draft in history.
Confusing but true: Many of the kids I count as rookies had some WHA experience. Dave Hunter was acquired by the WHA Oilers and spent some time in their minor league system. When he finally saw Edmonton, Hunter showed he belonged. Here is a passage from a December 1978 edition of The Hockey News: The rookie left winger, an accomplished checker despite his inexperience, moved into a position beside Gretzky and Flett and made sound contributions on almost every shift. It was clear that Hunter’s two weeks in Dallas (CHL) had restored his confidence. In that regard, his first pro goal helped too. “I was beginning to think I’d never score,” he said after beating Mike Liut with a high shot. “The longer you go, the harder it seems to get.”
Longest NHL careers. There were a load of lengthy careers in here. Mark Messier (1756), Wayne Gretzky (1487), Kevin Lowe (1254), Dave Hunter (746), Dave Semenko (575) and Risto Siltanen (562) represent the best one-year congregation of rookie NHL players in the game’s history.
Anything Else? Ron Chipperfield isn’t included, but he was a rookie that year too. He was sent to Quebec for Ron Low at the deadline, during trying circumstances detailed in the Gzowski book.
Hall of Fame Careers: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe.
In front of the first blush look at rookies, I count Josh Samanski, Viljami Marjala, Connor Clattenburg, Owen Michaels, Quinn Hutson, Eduards Tralmaks, William Nicholl, Damien Carfagna, Tomas Cibulka, Atro Leppanen, Connor Ungar, Samuel Jonsson, Aku Raty and Eemil Vinni as the pool. I’m contemplating one or two more, we’ll see in the days to come.
On the Lowdown today, our guest will be former Oilers defenseman Shawn Belle. We’ll talk about training camps and what young players can gain even if they’re heading to the AHL or back to junior. We’ll also chat Elks, Oilers, NFL, Jays and more. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke has just purchased the Los Angeles Angels for a reported $4 billion.
“KSE also owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, as well as Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, the National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth and the Premier League’s Arsenal Football Club.
KSE also owns SoFi Stadium and the 300-acre Hollywood Park district in Inglewood, California. Kroenke spent $5 billion on the stadium, which is home to both the Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/01/stan-kroenke-controlling-stake-los-angeles-angels.html
Worth noting that the Angels own and operate their own TV and radio streaming which are included in the purchase.
I don’t think any of this was worth noting. lol
Puckpedia reporting Tolvanen to the Rangers 1 X $1.5MM – not official but I supect PP got this from his agent.
Staff finally back from over two weeks off – nothing happens when Stauff is gone, no tidbits to talk about. He had Bowman on today:
1) Camp is short (13 days).
2) Savoie: having a good summer, something came up that needed to be taken care of. Fortunately nothing too serious and Matt’s going to be a big part of this team this year, just a bit of a later start. Confirms, no he won’t miss anything like a month and a half like Hyman last year. Won’t know on accurate timeline until he gets back to skating but this will no be weeks and weeks.
3) Andersen: Not a new injury. something he’s been dealing with for a bit. Took a calculated risk that a procedure would’t be needed. He’ll be a bit longer than Savoie. Jary and Levi will have a great opportunity to start the year.
When Bob asked if they thought about adding a goalie in – Have good depth in goal and promising prospects,
4) Janmark: No complication per se in this recovery. He’d been dealing with this for a number of year – played through a lot of pain and probably shouldn’t. He had the procedure and there was a lot of healing that needed to happen. It’s part of the process and lots of rehab required. No great feel for how long that might be.
5) Regula: Played great down the stretch and was good in the short playoff run (best d-man). This wasn’t an injury that came up out of nowhere. He wants to play the majority of the season and if he just went rehab there was a chance it wouldn’t get him 100% so they got it “fixed”. He’s not far away, will probably be skating (by himself) at camp.
6) Potential PTO or signing: We’ve had some conversations. Lots of inbound calls as teams and agents are looking for things. Players trying to find landing spots. Not sure we are gong to go down that road. We do not have a shortage of players. Could bring someone in but not much time to evaluate and tryout. Really 2 games as the roster will play 2. Wouldn’t rule it out but I wouldn’t wait for the news to break that they are going to add new players.
7) Asked about a d-man making $10MM more than Bouch: Talked about the market shifting and where it’s gone for elite players. Bouchard has solidified himself for impact d-men in the top of the league. because he’s so good on the PP and the PP is so good there is this notion that he’s a PP specialist but Bowman goes the other way – his ES offensive generation due to his patience, recognition of players, find plays, transition the puck, putting it on the tape, etc. that’s his superpower. He’s great on the PP but his ability at 5 on 5…… some people overlook it. He makes it look easy but its not easy.
8) Communication with coaches: Mike has tons of energy. I’ve talked to him a ton, the coaches have the players have. He has lots of thoughts but he’s very collaborative. He has a million idea but doesn’t think they are all great and wants to hear opinions on them. DJ also has a ton of energy. It’s going to be a different feel. He’s a ton of fun to be around. Lots of thoughts on the game, very curious guy. He doesn’t claim to have all the answers – wants to hear what you have to say and why you think something.
9) A good start: We talk about it every year and haven’t nailed it yet. Its important. Playing catch-up puts a lot of stress on the team. We are certainly rested, new players but not too much turnover but new coaching crew who will put new systems in place which will take time to sort out but we can win while we sort it out.
10) Loading up top players: Talked about it a ton internally. No right answer. Probably more good arguments for them playing together. The biggest challenge the last few years was the lack of depth. Its not so much not having good enough players but the opportunity for those players to play important roles, it’s been challenging. Players have gone elsewhere and succeed. There was not much rope when the minutes were so low. When McDavid/Drai are on the same line it doesn’t leave many minutes for the 3rd/4th lines. If they play together, there is a need for others to play more and they step up. We aren’t going to do it all the time, of course.
11) Donskov: A little different. Mike brought it in. Mike had worked with him before. Mike raved about his insight and his value and how he can bring something to the group, even in a smaller role (keeping his HC role). He will play an important role without our group too. Bowman got to know him, likes him, has some great ideas, etc.
I love hearing the full roster will play two games. No more extended preseason, hallelujah.
I’m not sure what makes them think they have the depth, over past years, to load up McDrai even half the time (home games). The depth isn’t there.
That’s spoken too in the summary
Stauff’s lines
Howard McD Drai
Podz Nuge Hyman
Freddi Dickinson Kapanen
Dach Samanski Joseph
Jones
said he would have Savoie with McDrai if he was healthy. Also mentioned McDavid and Drai as a possible PK duo 🙄
So the bottom two lines get their teeth kicked in, line 2 struggles to score (completely wrong mix of players) and Howard gets all the pressure in the universe to finish chances.
Boneheaded.
That bottom 6 is a massive smoking crater.
Bowman: it was Babcock’s idea to bring in Donskov, raved about him to Stan
Stauffer on the radio cautioning to “not be surprised” if 29 & 97 play more than 50% of their time together, with 93, 18 & 92 as the second line.
Have I ever told you the definition of insanity?
Kane/Nuge/Hyman were absolutely dominant as a 2nd line not that long ago in the 2025 playoffs. Sub Podz in for Kane…
No, tell us again 😉
I see what you did… 🙂
Dennis King
Yes, I’m back on social media. Thanks to Eric, Tyler, Chris & Mark and everyone else with the Canes. I learned a lot. Won a ring:) Ultimately, I decided not to renew my contract. Life is year-to-year:) May have media opportunities to announce at a later date
https://x.com/dkingbh/status/2094531733945262470?s=61
You heard the suggestion of the rumour first on Lowetide this morning: Dennis King on the Sportsnet panel.
OP would be devastated by King’s honesty.
Nothing that person online could devastate me.
@NHL-Sid
Some personal news. I am leaving @dfoedmonton (formerly OilersNation), and starting a Substack.
I wanted to say that I’m very grateful to @jsbmbaggedmilk & @zjlaing. Their support over my 5 years at ON was wonderful, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity they gave me.
Ednonton oilers are going to gave a season to remember in a good way. Im feeling very excited about this team. Im not a Bowman or Jackson fan since the broberg and Holliday offer sheets. I just think babcock is going to have success for 2 years and then hes gone and his assistant gets promoted
Why would you blame Bowman or Jackson for the offer sheets that 100% culminated under Holland’s tenure?
Given the Sobchuk story, one wonders if Slats envisioned Messier as a potential bodyguard for Gretzky before he blossomed into so much more? Of course, Glen already had Semenko in the fold but adding depth on top of depth was kind of Sather’s thing.
One of my favourite Messier stories was him holding out for a better rookie contract from Slats. Gretzky’s take at the time. “He’d scored one goal the previous year!!!” lol
Clearly the Moose believed in himself from the very beginning.
I think Slats seen immense competitiveness in a power style type kid. With the waiver draft clearly against the incoming WHA teams as well as the draft order. We hit the 649 and Lotto Max in back to back years never mind having Wayne. Sather let the youth play who knows how Anferson-Kurri-Messier Mogg-Fuhr-Coffey-Lowe-Tikkanen end up if we had a coach like K.K who was afraid of his own shadow. We had all year to see if Howard was the answer top 6 instead K.K never gave the kid a chance. With a new Coach what will Mike do maybe he doesn’t want to break in rookies besides Dach who’s clearly a bottom 6er. Levi will obviously get some early starts Howard-Dach-Shakir-Samanski one or two of these players will get faded.
From Pocklington winning Gretzky off Skalbania in a game of backgammon, to Barry Fraser’s run at the draft, to the McDavid lottery win, good luck has been a massive part of the story in Edmonton’s hockey history.
I like to think it’s the good karma we accrue from living on the frozen tundra six months a year.
The Penquins and the Oilers mirror each other 5 Cups each Mario-Jagr-Crosby-Malkin-Francis-Coffey-Stevens-Letang Oilers Gretzky-Kurri-Messier-Anderson-Coffey-McDavid -Draisaitl-Bouchard Lemieux who truth be told when healthy was just as dangerous as Gretzky Jagr as well those 2 were unstoppable even in the dead puck era.
Wiser hockey minds than mine (the bar is very low) have said (I’m paraphrasing):
-the NHL is not a developmental league;
-an NHL coach, no matter how successful, is only a few losses from being fired, so winning is all that matters;
-we don’t know what we don’t know, but we do know that when owners meddle, things don’t go well.
Also: the higher the expectations, the greater the fall, the more desperate the reactions to the fall.
In arguably the most hockey-mad market in the NHL, my perception is that all of these things are true and amplified. Blaming coaches and goalies is the easiest thing to do, here in Oilerville, where the weather oscillates between feverish belief in McJesus, and panic. Blaming coaches and goalies hasn’t worked as a Cup-winning strategy, so far. But, if it makes you happy…
Or you saying Gavin McKenna isn’t going to learn as he goes or maybe you send him to the minors for a couple years that is if you can take the pressure from the fans and reporters by saying every 5 minutes that the NHL isn’t a developmental league. It all depends what position you’re applying for. Smaller skilled forwards arrive first then skilled centres arrive about the time a Lane Huston super skilled smaller D arrive. Big Lanky forwards arrive later along with big centre’s. Wyatt Johnson was a freak of nature arriving instantly. The goalies in today’s league arrive mid-twenties. If we have to sit here and we don’t have a clue whether Howard at 22 is going to be a Mercer type scoring 20 plus or a dud that BriseBois suckered in Bowman in getting Mr.O’Reilly that could haunt Oiler fans the next 15 years as a centre. If Howard is a dud then Bowman better flip him while he still has value.
I think when it’s said the NHL is not a development league it’s overstated. No, a player that is clearly not ready shouldn’t play in the NHL, but all players continually develop, some faster than others. The cap also says it’s best to use capable (if not perfect) players on ELC’s. The cap also says figure out who they are quickly and sign them early and long if possible
Howard likely would have scored some goals in the top 6 last yea but it was clear that he wasn’t ready to play the minutes and to play that type of comp. Howard needed time to develop in the AHL and the organization provided him that opportunity and he now has the ability to reach his ceiling, something he likely never would have without the development time.
Howard had 2G and 5 points in 29 games.
Colton Dach mangend 2 goals and 4 points in 8 games – FROM THE FOURHT LINE.
If Howard needs years of development why make the trade in the first place. This trade is getting fishier and fishier even after the Savoie injury Howard’s name is not being brought up enough in the Oilers organization. Very little chatter hell Yamamoto name was brought up more than Howard’s name.
I believe a couple of things have been made clear, over the months of this discussion:
-Howard is a different kind of player than O’Reilly, and his skill set is likely to help the Oilers, where they need help, sooner than a SOR;
-the transition from college to NHL is not always a straight line:
-if Howard makes the transition, he will be a cheap, young skill player valued on a team that will need cheap, young, skill players this year, next year, and so on.
Trading Howard makes sense if the return helps win a Cup this year. But I’m not of the opinion that sacrificing cheap, young talent for win-now is the best use of the other talents on this team.
It’s possible Howard becomes an Oiler version of the Hab’s Caufield. That’s the bet I’d like to see GMSB make. If this coach —because he, like every coach before him here, during McD era— feels the pressure to win-now, won’t take the bet to start this season, Howard’s continued success in the AHL may force the issue. Here’s me, wishin’ and hopin’…
I could name 15 players that were same age or younger that were teammates with Howard on the USA developmental team that have been playing in the league for years. If Howard is a project why trade for a centre who we have been chasing every trade deadline. What are we up to 4 first rounders chasing a O’Reilly. Howard should have been put on the Hyman spot instead what exactly to we have in Howard who isn’t Babcock cup of tea. It was a
Howard wasn’t ready to play a top 6 role in the NHL last season.
It doesn’t matter what any of his teammates did, what Wyatt Johnston did or what Gavin McKenna might do.
Keeping Howard in the NHL would have been a disservice to the player and likely limited his ceiling – he had part of his game to work on and was given the opportunity to do that in the proper league and will be a better NHL player for it.
He spent 2/3 of his rookie pro season in the AHL – who the eff is talking about “years of development”????
You are making shit up.
Why do you keep mentioning “Howard’s name is not brought up enough in the Oilers’ organization”? Nobody in the org is saying anything publicly about any players. Babcock hasn’t spoken (except for a quote on the new coach) since the day he was hired and Bowman has talked about Howard being a big part of the team this year multiple times this season.
There has been one interview with an Oilers rep since the injuries and Bowman said the following:
““Howard’s in that group, where we expect them to be on the team. Then there are guys like Samanski and Quinn Hutson (63 AHL points in 67 games last season). Then you’ve got maybe unknown guys that are a little bit older, like Eduards Tralmaks (29) and Aku Raty (25),” Bowman said. “Those guys are not young guys, but they’re accomplished American League players who were always going to get a look. Now, maybe they’ll get a different look.”
Again, you are making shit up.
If you don’t think 3 years of Collage hockey in the States isn’t development time you need to revisit who won a effing gold metal at the Olympics. You keep saying there’s no men in U.S.A NCAA College hockey. This is a bald face lie your the one that doesn’t respect the College game in the United States of America.
What the…..?
Of course its development time, as is junior hockey.
If you think most good players leave college hockey fully formed without need to professional development in the minor leagues….
I’m not sure what the best US players in the NHL have to do with Issac Howard.
Oh, as an aside, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, J.T. Miller, Jake Guentzel – all with at least a full season in the AHL…..
Issac Howard needed 2/3 of a season of development in the best development league in the world, like almost all players do – I don’t understand why you can’t grasp this concept.
Do you really think the “men” in US college hockey, amateurs, are anything like the men in the AHL? Come on.
This is an old story of my dad’s, so take it with a grain of salt but I’ve always liked it.
So it goes that young Messier was in class one day at high school and a substitute teacher had the gall to ask Mark to open his books and participate. “Fuk you,” he said while flipping said substitute teacher the bird, “I’m going to play hockey.”
Dennis Sobchuk, man could that man ever shoot the puck…his slapper was the bain of many young goalies. Ron Chipperfiield, Dennis Sobchuk and Bobby Hess…three of the best 1970’s western boys to play the game.
Biggest Oilers news of the day likely that Lauren Kyle is posting about being back in the office – presumption here is that the Captain is back in town.
Let’s Go!
Just looking back when we knocked off the Red Wings in six. Babcock had the Wings sizzling entering the Playoffs with a 25W-3L down the stretch. I’ll have to go back but how many times was a loaded Detroit beaten by underdogs. Something about Babcock possession game kick ass in the regular season then cracks in the Playoff. Even the Leaf teams were good regular season team under Babcock. Andersen was a rock then he couldn’t go to to toe with Tuukka Rask and who could fault him for that realistically.
MacT used the same playbook that has beaten the Oilers more or less. And the ‘06 team while lacking high end depth had some potential underrated players like Horc. They played as a team and didn’t let the Wings do what they were used to doing
To be honest no Roloson we would have been lucky to win one game even with a shaky Legace. If you go back and watch every goal the Oilers scored that Playoff it’s crazy how many goals game from Screens and deflection in front. Smyth-Horcoff-Stoll-Torres-Pisani-Moreau etc we’re so good at tipping over 50% of our goals at least were generated with a shot from the Pronger-Bergeron-Spacek-Tardstrom-Smith
Those goals have been sorely lacking from the current repertoire, and are critical when facing a team taking everything easy away
How many career goals Crosby-Malkin originating from a point shot with a tip compared to Connor-Ryan. Hyman is a good comparison to Ryan Smith. Why was Smith-Horcoff not hired to show a young Leon-Connor tips just as Wyatt Johnston learned from the master Pavelski. I don’t get this bullshit that we can’t hire a Doug Weight-Billy Guérin-Steve Staios-Mike Grier-Horcoff-Smyth because it’s the old boys club garbage.
He also introduced trap hockey to Oilerland for the first time ever. They hadn’t deployed it during the season but adopted for the playoffs. Imagine that, a coach changing strategy in the playoffs? Who knew…
Does our 2006 team beat our team that went to the final twice. Roloson would mop the floor against no lateral movement Skinner. Once Hellebuyck is traded Skinner is the perfect goalie to tank with. I suspect we see Skinner on 2-3 tanking teams before his career over.
We don’t know the structure that Babcock and Smith will be implementing except for the fact that it will be based on pressuring the opposition to get the puck back.
Babcock spoke about studying the league for the last 3 years, what has been working and what hasn’t and them learning his players and implementing fine tuning of systems based on all that information.
I’m not concerned about him relying on something that didn’t want the Cup one season 20 years ago.
I get you but does leopard change his spots at least D.J and Mike appear on the same page. As for Bowman the jury still out on whether the coaching change was his doing or above him? I’ll go with answer B.
Josh Samanski – there is a player here and he’s got 3rd line upside. He can skate and he’s got the smarts and length to be a strong defender. We’ve already seen it. He’s also got skill and will be able to contribute to the offense – I watched him lead the Condors in 5 on 5 scoring at the time of call up.
Play this young man and play him on the PK. He was already effective in the NHL playoffs, he will be impactful after a full season of NHL development.
And cheap, for a long time
Does he not fit in to the possession style of Babcock?
I’m with you. Have been since forever. But you’re pitching him hard. Is MB reading this?
Multiple times a day.
Reminds me of his polishing Tyler Benson’s apples for years.
Joe Snively says hello.
When we get the two-three time a weak list of all the up and coming blue chip prospects from petty much 30 other teams, I always wonder how the likes of Lias Andersson and Tyler Madden and Alex Turcotte are doing.
And somehow, you mentioned Brogan Rafferty on an Oilers blog more than OP mentioned Benson.
Except you stopped polishing Rafferty’s apples and tried to pretend like it was all a joke, even after your late night angry posts in defense of Brogan.
I think it was more than an apple that was getting polished.
you have absolutely no room to talk when it comes to “polishing”…
What a time to be alive watching the greatest show on ice and at many times off the ice in those first 5 years. BJ looked like he was 40 years old and yet he was only 25 when he banged home 46. It’s to bad about the eye injury to Brett Callighen it would have been nice to see him win a Cup.
You know your team is on top of the world when every housewife watches a young Gretzky on the mega popular soap opera young and restless. I believe Wayne was a Mobster brought in from Chicago or some other big city to take care of business. Then there’s the Dave Semenko exhibition bout in Edmonton against the greatest fighter Muhammad Ali. Ali was also the most popular sports figure in the World and right up there with the Pope-Beatles.
Ali. That man was worthy of hero worship. Likely more worthy than either the Pope or the Beatles. The loss of his mind to head injury is tragic.
Semenko was a legend in Edmonton I miss that man. My friend went to the match he said the crowd was unlike any sporting event he witnessed. Ali was 41 I believe Semenko tagged Ali once and received a bleeding nose in return. The decay of Ali mind was a sad thing to witness even from afar.
Re: Expansion to Houston
Enjoy the next couple of seasons of 97 and 29, Oiler fans. In the not-too-distant future the NHL will be 33, then 34, then 36 teams. Stanley Cups will be a once-in-a-lifetime event if you’re lucky, and even making the Conference Finals will be an enormous accomplishment.
The greatest successes of Edmonton Oilers have already happened. It doesn’t mean that the team can’t or won’t still win a Stanley Cup, but 5 in 7 years is a dream of our youth never to be repeated.
One silver lining is the fact that hockey in the Southern U.S. and elsewhere creates incredible employment opportunities for Canadians – players, coaches, writers … it’s how the world soaks up Canadian culture. Learn to play hockey on outdoor rinks in Edmonton, share that rare experience with hockey lovers from Oslo to Oklahoma to Osaka.
Pennants!
Yet another “the sky is falling” post, this time based on a team that hasn’t even been announced yet.
I will enjoy the here and now, hoping for a killer season by the best 1-2 punch in the league. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, as I am learning to my sorrow much more often as I grow old. Tomorrow can worry about itself.
The sky is not falling.
But enjoy an Oilers’ cup run due to its scarcity.
It’ll be hard to climb the mountain in a 40 team league.
Its hard enough in a 32 team league. Fair point.
Wait until they expand to Europe – its going to happen.
I do think that they will try it, but it is very unlikely to be good and won’t last in the long run. They are so focused on money, but selling sport isn’t the same as selling hard goods, where more market is a legitimate way to increase revenue
They are in the entertainment industry, and are already the most diluted NA pro league, planning for more. They are trying to cut into the Olympics’ business probably
Oddly the last think they seem to want to do is make the current product and delivery better and gain some local fans
Oh how the NHL hated the WHA. I live in Connecticut and see people with Whalers caps, shirts, and toques. Still the best hockey logo ever crafted, but I remain upset about that 11-0 beat-down the Whale put on the Oilers in 1984.
The beat-down wasn’t all bad. The Oilers did win their first cup that year. Maybe it worked to tune them in a bit!
The Nov 2025 beat downs by Dallas and Colorado inspired the best Oilers hockey of last season, the Nov 26-Dec 25 run. McD scored like a demon, played 200 feet, goalies shone! Here’s wishin’ and hopin’ the embarrassment of last season inspires a full season of the same from McD & co.