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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 Front Office Playing Musical Chairs 
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With the resignation of Oilers special advisor (and former Oilers player) Steve Staios on Sept. 29, the future of the general manager (GM) position in Edmonton is now as clear as mud. Staios, who was hired by the Oilers on Oct. 6, 2022, was thought to be a potential candidate for the GM job in Edmonton should current Oilers GM Ken Holland retire at the end of this season. Staios, who is now the president of hockey operations for the Ottawa Senators has close ties to new Senators owner Michael Andlauer with the Ontario Hockey League’s Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs….

Jack Campbell Shows First Signs His Game Is Back for Oilers
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In an unexpected turn of events, the Edmonton Oilers’ talent-depleted roster secured a surprising 2-1 overtime victory against the top-line-heavy Calgary Flames. Despite fielding a lineup with few regular players, the Oilers’ triumph was largely credited to the outstanding performance of goaltender Jack Campbell, who put on a starter-worthy performance throughout the game, making a staggering 34 saves out of 35 shots faced. “Frankly, I was a little nervous,” Campbell said after securing the win. “I put a lot of work in this summer, and I wanted to do well. Just really excited to go out and have a good…

Raphael Lavoie’s Bid for Spot on Oilers a Case of Bad Timing
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In a salary cap world of the NHL, especially where the team you’re on is tight to the cap and in full win-now mode, timing is often as crucial as skill. For young players like Raphael Lavoie, who harbors ambitions of regularly wearing the jersey of the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023-24 regular season, the timing couldn’t be more challenging. As Allan Mitchell of the Athletic astutely points out regarding the timing of Lavoie’s quest to make the roster: “It’s the poorest since Linus Omark landed in North America just in time to battle Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi, and Jordan…

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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?

Jay Woodcroft is the current head coach for the Edmonton Oilers.