What if...Edmonton never traded away Wayne Gretzky?

Question

Nearly two decades ago, the Edmonton Oilers were poised to continue their dominance upon the NHL. While Wayne Gretzky was in a slight "decline" (from hockey God to mere greatest player on Earth), the Oilers still had Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Kevin Lowe, Esa Tikkanen, Grant Fuhr (with Bill Ranford waiting in the wings), and Mark Messier even after exiling Paul Coffey to Pittsburgh. However, Peter Plockington was crying poor, and wanted to save some money. The easiest way for him? Trade his best player to Los Angeles. And the rest is history...or was it?

What if Plockington decided to hold on to The Great One? Would holding on to Gretzky have prevented the trades/departures of the other pieces of the dynasty? Would the courses of two franchises (Edmonton and Los Angeles) as well as the entire NHL have been altered?

Chris- And your point in calling me names? If you were to really read the question instead of proving that you lack analytical skills, it was directed towards hypothesising LONG-TERM. While it is true they won the Cup in 1990, how many MORE would they have won with Gretzky still on the roster? What would have happended to the Kings (and the NHL) without Gretzky in Los Angeles?

The point of the question is what if, not "I'm sure glad that didn't happen". If you do not want to play by the rules, then don't bother playing at all. Your useless banter is unneeded.

Answer 1

Perhaps. Perhaps the Oilers go on to dominate the '90s and consequently further diminish hockey interest in the U.S. Perhaps there would've been no expansion as a result and no TV deals or big sponsors and even more Canadian teams would've been forced to move...or even fold. It's a mistake to underestimate the influence of an athlete such as Wayne.

And by the way, Chris, this is your first and only warning. You come in here and start slaggin' regulars again, I'm makin' you my personal verbal punching bag, just like I did Jude. And if you think I'm joking, have a gander at the relentless barbs I rained upon him. I look forward to reading your sensible, courteous answers.

Answer 2

I had to get a beer and digest this question

It should be rephrased...what if Janet Jones hadn't forced.......


I digress

First of all, had the trade not happened, I think a lot of things change. Prior to the trade, Los Angeles was a stable franchise, but no playoff history. They made money on the backs of Dionne, Vachon, Taylor, and the previous year on Robitaille. I think they continue as a middling team for years.

Edmonton....they probably would have won the cup in 1989 and 1990. By 1990 the face of the salary game game had changed drastically (doubling from 1987-1990) so the parts would have been sold off then. Would the Rangers benefitted more at that time (they did get Lowe, McTavish, and Messier)? Would they have ended up with Gretzky too and become a mini-power?

Had the trade not happened,
- I think Calgary joins Winnipeg as leaving the Canadian west because there would have been no cup in 1989 and they were bleeding money big time as it was (hence Norman Green selling his share to buy the North Stats so the Gund brothers could form the Sharks)
-I think Gretzky has 3000 career points if he skips LA and stays in Edmonton for two more years

Answer 3

Edmonton wouldn't have survived, especially with the way the Loonie was back in those days. The sad fact that a sports team is a business, and as a business, its prime directive was to make money.

The way I see it, had Gretzky stayed, I believe that his career would have paralleled that of Green Bay's Brett Favre. It would have gotten to the point where he would have been the last player on the team from their glory years, and he would have meshed out of the system with the various changes that would have happened through the years.

Plus, when you think about it, Gretzky kind of saved the Kings. LA fans need something miraculous to grab their attention--that whole area is sadly the epitome of sports apathy, sans USC. When things get mediocre, the fans just won't come to show support. The Clippers were a perfect example except for the good times they had.

Answer 4

Given the way Pocklinton mismanaged the funds and the horrible exchange rate at that time (Canadien dollar -v- American...back then about .65 on the American dollar) we would be talking about the Oilers in the past tense. No way they could have survived financially under the conditions back then so while it may have been a selfish move in many fans eyes it probably stopped the Oilers from being the first Canadien city to move south. Also it likely saved the franchise in L.A., they were also struggling for fans after the departure of the Dionne line and Rogie Vachons trade to Detroit after his eyes failed him. You mention the remainder of that great nucleus so fans should remember he did keep enough players intact to be a Cup competitive team while saving the franchise. Self-serving for Pocklington...you bet.....in the long run best for the great city of Edmonton...again I say ...You bet!

Answer 5

first of all if the great one hadnt been traded to LA the Kings would not even exist right now. articles that were written back then said that he saved hockey in the western part of the US. i dont even think we would see teams out west if it wasnt for him.

second the oilers would have been like an all star team. they were so successful without the greatest player in the world. just imagine how good they would have been if they kept him. i think they wouldve gone on to be the greatest dynasty ever and be successful for many years after that.

Answer 6

I was living in California (Oceanside) when Gretzky was traded to the Kings. I think it brought a lot more excitement to the American teams in the NHL that was missing prior to the trade...I agree it would have been nice to see Wayne play his whole career in Edmonton but the reality of our favorite sport is that it's a business........With the trade Wayne was exposed more to new markets and a new fan base. I know for a fact it brought more excitement for the sport in southern California.

Answer 7

Well, he might have traded Messier instead, and got back a lot less and never won another Cup. Anyways when the traded Wayner I started liking the Oilers.

Answer 8

awesum memories,- also gets my eye nodules drippy.. woulda coulda= makes me thankful 4reds of habs & 4oranges of isles did same dommy drip -- meantime, really? later the curves went towards coffeys next team then avs then bowman then jers sooo ; gud on them just that itd be booty to get the cup canja side again alls well ends oils well

Answer 9

I don't want to think about it. It's possible Pocklington would have had to sell the team sooner and it may have ended up in Houston or something. Pocklington was a fool with money.

Answer 10

i just wanna say i enjoy every ones responses to these what if's... would be a much different league if ones like this one or Roy one had gone down differently and don't think in a positive ways.