Fansided

Luckiest jerseys in the NHL’s long and storied history

By Bruin Belisle

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 9: Ray Bourque #77 of the Colorado Avalanche lifts the cup with Joe Sakic #19 after the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche take the series 4-3. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 9: Ray Bourque #77 of the Colorado Avalanche lifts the cup with Joe Sakic #19 after the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche take the series 4-3. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL 1980’s: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980’s at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) /

6. Edmonton Oilers

The only thing that needs to be written here is that the Edmonton Oilers landed not only the greatest player in NHL history in Wayne Gretzky, but another generational talent in Connor McDavid who might end up in the top five by the time his career is over.

The Edmonton teams in the 1980’s with Gretzky, Messier and co. were as dominant as any NHL team in history. How could they not be. Have a look at some of the records that “The Great One” still holds (and will forever hold). There’s no bigger gap in any sport between the greatest player and the rest of the field.

Fast Forward 30 years later and the Oilers are once again watching a kid skate through, around and right by other very talented NHL players. Connor McDavid is the new NHL. He’s a perfect combination of speed and skill that makes him a nightmare for opposing teams and goaltenders. Simply put, he’s incredible. The one upside to having to live in Edmonton is getting to watch two players like this in your lifetime.

The luck ran out for this team shortly after their dynasty dismantled, but that’s the thing about luck – often, it’s the result of things like hard work, skill, chemistry and a dash of being in the right place at the right time. The 1980’s Oilers had all of that. American businessman Ray Croc (helped bring McDonald’s to what they are today) once said that luck is a dividend of sweat. That saying couldn’t be more true in regards to sports.

The Oilers haven’t had much luck as of late, but it was mostly due to poor management. Hopefully they can get things back on track and stop wasting the most exciting player in the NHL since Wayne Gretzky himself.

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