| Nick Obergan. 5th October, 2011 - 12:27 pm
 The twelfth in a series of 30 articles, we will go through the history of every NHL franchise alphabetically and select an All-Time Roster for each.
Edmonton Oilers (1979-Present)
Though a relatively new franchise (31 seasons played), the Edmonton Oilers' history is littered with some of the greatest names in NHL history: Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr, Sather, Anderson. Edmonton has hoisted five Stanley Cups (1984, 85, 87, 88, and 90), all courtesy of their dynasty involving most of the previously listed names; they have also lost in the Stanley Cup Finals twice, in 1983 and 2006. Recent struggles have led to back-to-back first overall picks, hopefully giving them building blocks to return to being contenders.
First Team
C: Wayne Gretzky (79-88): A ridiculous line of 583-1,086-1,669 in only 696 games (2.4 points per game) and +551; 8-time All-Star; 8-time MVP, 7-time Art-Ross winner; 5-time Ted Lindsay winner, 2-time Conn Smythe winner; 4-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 83-88.
W: Jari Kurri (80-90): 2nd most points (1,043, in 754 games) and plus/minus (+351); 6-time All-Star; 1985 Lady Byng winner; 5-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer.
W: Glenn Anderson (80-91, 96): 4th most points (906, in 845 games), +202; 4-time All-Star; 5-time Stanley Cup winner; four straight years with 40+ goals; Hall of Famer.
D: Paul Coffey (80-87): Most points by a defenseman (669, in 532 games), +271; 5-time All-Star; 2-time Norris Trophy winner; 3-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer.
D: Kevin Lowe (79-92, 96-98): Most games in franchise history (1,037), 383 points, +232; 6-time All-Star; 5-time Stanley Cup winner; Team Captain 91-92.
G: Grant Fuhr (81-91): 226-117-58, 9 shutouts, 3.69 GAA; 6-time All-Star; 1988 Vezina Trophy winner; 4-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer.
Second Team
C: Mark Messier (79-91): 3rd most points (1,034), most games by a forward (851), +173; 8-time All-Star; 1990 MVP and Ted Lindsay winner, 1984 Conn Smythe winner; 5-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 88-91.
W: Ryan Smyth (94-2007, Present): 549 points in 770 games, 4th most power play goals (117); 2007 All-Star; three seasons with 30+ goals.
W: Esa Tikkanen (85-93): 436 points in 522 games, +100; 4-time Stanley Cup winner; three seasons with 30+ goals.
D: Charlie Huddy (80-91): 2nd best plus/minus (+251), 368 points in 694 games; 5-time Stanley Cup winner; finished +50 or better three straight years.
D: Randy Gregg (82-90): +167, 309 PIM, 188 points in 453 games; 5-time Stanley Cup winner.
G: Bill Ranford (87-95, 99-2000): Most games (449), 167-193-72, 8 shutouts, 3.51 GAA; 1991 All-Star; 1990 Stanley Cup winner and Conn Smythe winner.
Third Team
C: Doug Weight (93-2001): 5th most points (577 in 588 games) among forwards; 3-time All-Star; career-season in 1995-96 with 25-79-104; Team Captain 99-2001.
W: Ales Hemsky (2003-Present): 5th highest scoring winger at 395 points in 490 games; 2011 All-Star.
W: Kelly Buchberger (87-99): 240 points, 1,747 PIM, 24 game-winning goals in 795 games; 2-time Stanley Cup winner; Team Captain 95-99.
D: Lee Fogolin (79-87): 3rd most games by a defenseman (586), 4th in plus/minus (+161); 1986 All-Star; 2-time Stanley Cup winner; Team Captain 81-83.
D: Steve Smith (84-91): 218 points in 385 games, 1,080 PIM, +106; 1991 All-Star; 3-time Stanley Cup winner.
G: Tommy Salo (98-2004): Most shutouts (23), 147-128-72, 2.44 GAA; 2-time All-Star.
Coaches
Glen Sather (79-89, 93-94): 464-268-110 regular season record, 89-37 playoff record; 4-time Stanley Cup winner, 1983 Stanley Cup finalist; 1986 Jack Adams winner; Hall of Famer.
Craig MacTavish (2000-09): 301-252-103 regular season record, two playoff appearances (17-13), 2006 Stanley Cup finalist.
Nick is the NHL Feature Writer for RealGM. You can reach him by email nick.obergan@realgm.com or on twitter @NickObergan |
