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The Edmonton Oilers were started in 1971 as one of the founding franchises of the World Hockey Association (WHA). After seven WHA seasons, which included a loss to the Winnipeg Jets in the last Avco Cup Final, the Oilers were one of the four teams to merge with the NHL. The Oilers experienced immediate success in the NHL by qualifying for the playoffs in their first 13 seasons, winning five Stanley Cups in the process. The 1980s Oilers teams were some of the best in league history and featured some of hockey’s most legendary names, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey. The 1990s were less kind to them and the team bottomed out in the 2010s, which resulted in them earning multiple first-overall picks, including Connor McDavid, who by all intents and purposes is the modern-day Gretzky.

Oilers’ Skinner in Line for Vezina Trophy Winning Season

The 2023-24 season was a big one for Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. It marked his first year at the NHL level where, at the very least, everyone knew he would receive roughly half the starts. That was a big change from a year prior, where, despite winding up being the number-one option, he began as a backup to Jack Campbell. Related: Edmonton Oilers’ Point Projections for 2024-25 Any thoughts of Skinner being a part of a 50/50 tandem quickly evaporated when Campbell was sent to the American Hockey League in early November. Skinner wound up playing a career-high 59…

Oilers: 8 GMs Who Would’ve Been Better Hires Than Stan Bowman

The Edmonton Oilers made the controversial decision to hire Stan Bowman as their new general manager (GM) and executive vice president of hockey operations on Wednesday, July 24, and fan response has not been positive at all. After the shocking move, Oilers fans all over social media began pushing back, citing both Bowman’s past moves as a GM being questionable, on top of how he mishandled a serious situation with the Chicago Blackhawks over a decade ago. While Jeff Jackson spoke to the media and was adamant that he believed Bowman has become a better person and assured fans that…

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Kuznetsov News

The Edmonton Oilers have hired a new general manager and despite the inevitable PR issues that will come with the hire, Stan Bowman is now calling the shots. Meanwhile, Cliff Fletcher has renewed his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Finally, Evgeny Kuznetsov is rumored to be headed to the KHL, but his agent has said the forward is waiting to see if any NHL teams make him an offer worth sticking around for. And, what will the Washington Capitals do with the money that was freed up by his contract termination? Oilers to Introduce Stan Bowman a GM The…

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NHL Rumors: Oilers, Red Wings, Flyers

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, another rumored candidate for the GM position in Edmonton has emerged. But, is that candidate being promoted by another team? Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings are looking to get deals done for both Lucas Raymond and Mortiz Seider. Finally, Matvei Michkov showed up in Philadelphia…

Edmonton Oilers 50-Goal Scorers

During the 1980s, the Edmonton Oilers epitomized offense. From the 1981-82 season through 1985-86, they scored an average of 5.29 goals per game. They peaked in the 1983-84 season, putting up a whopping 446 goals in 80 games, a 5.58 goals-per-game average. Opposing teams couldn’t stop them, but could only try…

 

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Oilers FAQ

What year were the Edmonton Oilers founded?

The Edmonton Oilers were started in 1971 as one of the founding franchises of the World Hockey Association (WHA)

When did the Edmonton Oilers play their first game?

The Edmonton Oilers played their first NHL game on Oct. 10, 1979. They played the Chicago Black Hawks and lost 4-2.

Who is the current head coach of the Edmonton Oilers?

Kris Knoblauch is the current head coach for the Edmonton Oilers.