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NHL History: Remembering The Wayne Gretzky Trade

By Dave Stevenson |
Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky sits with his wife, American actress Janet Jones, at a press conference the announcement that he had been traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles, California, August 9, 1988. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky sits with his wife, American actress Janet Jones, at a press conference the announcement that he had been traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles, California, August 9, 1988. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)

On August 9, 1988 the landscape of the NHL was shaken when the Edmonton Oilers traded superstar Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. On its 29th anniversary, let’s take a look at its impact. 

They say anyone can be traded. Yes, even arguably the greatest NHL player of all-time. Wayne Gretzky found that out the hard way on August 9, 1988. That’s the day he got traded from his beloved Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.

To say the trade took the league by surprise is an understatement. The Oilers had just won four of the past five Stanley Cups. Despite missing 18 games, The Great One led the league in assists during the 1987-88 season for the ninth straight season. His 149 points ranked second only to Mario Lemieux‘s 168. Though Gretzky finished third in the Hart Trophy voting, he had still won eight of the last nine league MVPs.

Nobody knew Edmonton was even considering trading the NHL’s top star. But this wasn’t a new idea. Due to financial concerns, among other things, the Oilers were forced to do the inevitable – trade Wayne Gretzky. They contacted several teams, but the Kings quickly emerged as The Great One’s top choice.

To be fair, Peter Pocklington, then the owner, did what was right. Gretzky had an option in his contract to become a free agent after the 1988-89 season. He had every intention of exercising it and Pocklington wanted to ensure he got something for him.

Still, his name forever remains soiled in Oilers history because he’s known as the guy who traded Gretzky and got very little back. To be exact, the Kings surrendered $15 million, Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and three first round picks (1989, 1991 and 1993). Along with Gretzky, Marty McSorely (who number 99 insisted be a part of the trade) and Mike Krushelnyski were sent to Los Angeles.

That package combined had a minimal impact, with 1991 first round pick Martin Ručinský and Martin Gelinas being the only notable players to emerge from it. And the first didn’t have much of an impact with the Oilers. Jimmy Carson could have been something, but injuries derailed his career. But he did help them win the 1989-90 Stanley Cup, in a way. Trading Carson netted them a huge package, and each member of it played a role in that Stanley Cup winning team.

The Impact

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The Gretzky trade forever changed the landscape of the NHL and every party involved in the trade. For the Oilers, it signified the beginning of the end of an impressive dynasty. Sure, they won five Stanley Cups in seven years. Heck, the Oilers even won one in 1989-90 without Gretzky.

But it’s hard to argue getting rid of the best player ever didn’t play a role in their decline. To this day, The Great One is a legend in Edmonton. Gradually, the stars began to leave or be traded. Eventually, even Mark Messier got shipped out.

For the Kings, it was the precise opposite. With all due respect to Marcel Dionne, Gretzky put them on the map. To this day, he’s their all-time leader in goals, assists and points. Gretzky’s arrival made an immediate impact, as the Kings topped the Oilers in the 1988-89 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they never won a Stanley Cup with The Great One. But it sure wasn’t Gretzky’s fault.  Even without a Stanley Cup, the Kings would happily do the Gretzky trade again.

The biggest winner, though, was the NHL. There are some whispers that the league encouraged the Oilers to trade Gretzky to the Kings. This theory has merit. Trading Gretzky, hockey’s top star, to a major market like Los Angeles, was the best thing that could have happened. Hockey exploded in California, leading to the Sunshine State having three professional teams. And each of the trio has at least a Stanley Cup appearance in the 21st century. So if the league did indeed help the Gretzky trade occur, it falls under the “greater good” category.

Next: Every NHL Team's Mount Rushmore

August 9, 1988 forever changed the landscape of the NHL. It’s hard to think about all the differences there would be had the Gretzky trade never happened.

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