Edmonton Oilers News, Trades & Rumors

Overview | Schedule | Roster | Line Combinations |Stats | Salary Cap
Prospects | History | Management | Goaltending | Season Preview

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.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO OUR EDMONTON OILERS SUBSTACK NEWSLETTER

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.