Has the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s been a little overrated over time?

Question

Back in the day, Edmonton was given the deserved plaudits for being the premier offensive juggernaut in the NHL. Featuring the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr, the Oilers made the rest of the NHL look silly in the mid 1980s. However, over two decades after the fact, have we as hockey fans overrated the dynasty? In other words, with the way the league and subsequent teams have been structured since the end of the dynasty, do we look at the 1980s Oilers with rose-tinted glasses? Let the controversey begin...

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Gretzky speaks for himself. I believe Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson are two of the most under rated players in recent NHL history. Grant Fuhr will not go down as one of the top 10 goaltenders of all time, however, he will go down as one of the top 10 clutch goaltenders of all time.

You mentioned 5 of the greatest players in the history of the game, not just the Oilers, and you failed to mention Mark Messier. "Like I've Been" mentioned his qualifications for the defense of a dynasty. Aside from Paul Coffey, they also featured Lee Fogolin, Randy Gregg, Kevin Lowe and others on defense. While they were not the greatest of all time, they were one of, if not the deepest of their time. Their role players included Dave Semenko, Willy Lidstrom, Charlie Huddy, Kevin McClelland, Craig McTavish and Esa Tikkanen. Based on their performances in the playoffs, most of those players would demand contracts that would max out the salary caps of most teams.

Answer 2

No I don't think so and here's why: when one team is so dominate in it's time period that the NHL changes rules to remove their advantage the team is a legit dynastic powerhouse. In the period of the early 50s the NHL changed the penalty rule so a team once they scored was no longer on the power play. Previous to that the entire 2 minutes was a power play no matter how many goals were scored. Why you ask? Because the Habs would fill the net with pucks. It was during this period the Habs won 5 straight cups.
In the 80s, the NHL did the same sort of thing because the Oilers could also outclass their opponent although the situation was slightly different. The Oilers had such dominate players who were all above average skaters that when 2 players got minors at the same time and a four on four resulted the Oilers took it to all the other teams. The rule was then changed that the teams would not play short handed or 4 on 4 and the Oiler offensive juggernaut was foiled slightly.
Years later, the league reverted to the short handed situation once the dynasty had ended.
You don't change the rules for a an overblown situation. The Oil was that good and if not for an errant shot by Steve Smith, it would have been 5 in a row for them as well.

Answer 3

No

Unfortunately in a league dominated by free agency and a salary cap, they may be the last 'dynasty' we see.

What we as fans need to do, is to re-adjust our thinking.

The Detroit Red Wings of the last 15 years is pretty close to a dynasty. Similar to New Jersey in the east. Two teams who for the past decade have won the majority of their games, and 'scare' the opposition.

Having said that, I do have issues with the Edmonton dynasty.
1. Dynasties should be both offensive and defensive powerhouses. Not once in their 8 year run did they finish in the top 5 in defence.

2. The inability to string 3 straight cup wins together is a black mark for me.

Yes, I know that they were a Steve Smith own goal away from 6 straight finals and 5 straight cups.......but were they?

The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens (Boston and Philadelphia?) were just as powerful from 1986 to 1989.


In all fairness, I rank the Oilers behind the following dynasties
1. Montreal Canadiens 1950-51-> 1959-60
- 10 straight finals appearances
- 6 Stanley Cups (including 5 in a row)

2. Montreal Canadiens 1964-65 --> 1978-79
- 11 finals appearances in 15 years
- 10 Stanley Cups
- 13 Hall of Fame Members

3. New York islanders 1979-80 --> 1983-84
- 19 straight series won (nobody else has won more than 13)
- 5 straight finals
- 4 straight Cups

Answer 4

No way. They had one of the best sports team hockey has ever seen! Right now the best roster is New York Rangers with Gomez,Jagr,Shannahan,Drury, and Lundqvist. The dynasty roster of the Oilers was Gretzky,Messier,Fuhr, Coffey and Jari Kurri! That team kicks butt compared to the Rangers and any other team. Oilers had one of the best teams in any team sport and argue-ably the best in hockey. If you didn't mention Messier then they can't be overrated if they got players better than him.

Answer 5

I would say absolutely not. But admittedly, my age makes me bias in answering that question. The Edmonton Oilers dynasty was the best team I ever saw play in my lifetime. Those alive to witness the brilliance of the Habs teams of the mid to late 50's might swear differently. Every generation might lay claim to a different team as to their personal allegiances or a specific memory tied to the greatness of a particular team.
I am a lifelong Wings fan and I will never forget the first time I saw Edmonton skate at the Joe, it was in 83 and they were unbelievable. Hopefully we will be able to see a team excel the way that the Oilers dynasty did in those days, but I doubt I will be able to admit that they are better, even if they accomplish more.

Answer 6

Rocket, i think of which you place too lots inventory right into a well-known season game. working example, this 12 months Montreal went 8-0 against Boston despite the fact that it nonetheless took 7 video games to place them away. so a techniques as i'm worried, the dynasty constantly starts alongside with your first cup win and it regarded as a dynasty alongside with your third in 5 years. in any different case that's all conjectural.

Answer 7

I don't think so. If you're asking if I think they could have done what they did in the clutch and grab 90's- probably not. But I'm not a big fan of crossing eras for comparisons. You can throw out all the stats you want about defense and whatever, but they won 5 cups in 7 years, That's complete domination of a league.

Answer 8

Underrated, maybe. Overrated, no. How good were they? Good enough that you name 5 of their greater players and fail to even mention Messier. Messier as an afterthought is scary good.

Answer 9

No they weren't over-rated, that team still stands the test of time.

Answer 10

i think it has