Greatest Oilers Players of All Time
The Edmonton Oilers have produced some of hockey's greatest talent across four decades. Fans constantly debate whether Wayne Gretzky or Connor McDavid ranks higher among the best Oilers players of all time. Both eras the 1980s dynasty and today's superstar duo shaped the franchise's identity and kept Edmonton relevant in hockey conversations.
The dynasty builders: Gretzky and the 1980s legends
Wayne Gretzky transformed the Oilers into champions. He scored 92 goals in one season and recorded 215 points in another (numbers that still blow people's minds). Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with Edmonton between 1984 and 1988 while amassing 1,773 franchise points. Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey formed the supporting cast that made Edmonton unstoppable. Kurri scored 474 goals alongside Gretzky. Coffey's speed from the blue line revolutionized how defensmen played the game. Together, they created a dynasty that won five Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1990. No player has matched Gretzky's impact on Edmonton's legacy.
Connor McDavid and the modern era
McDavid arrived in 2015 and immediately changed the Oilers' trajectory. His speed and playmaking ability remind fans of young Gretzky, honestly. At 28 years old, McDavid already ranks among the franchise's all-time scorers. Leon Draisaitl joined him as a co-star, winning the Hart Trophy in 2020. Together, they've driven Edmonton's offense to elite levels. McDavid has yet to win a Stanley Cup, which keeps the debate alive between him and Gretzky. One championship would cement his place as a true franchise legend.
Role players who made the difference
Glenn Anderson scored crucial playoff goals that won championships. His five Stanley Cups and 42 game-winning goals proved he delivered when teams needed him most. Grant Fuhr backstopped those title runs with steady goaltending. Ryan Smyth represented everything Oilers fans loved gritty, dedicated, and loyal. Kevin Lowe, Edmonton's first draft pick, anchored the defense during the dynasty era. These players showed that great teams need depth beyond superstars.
What fans should know today
The Gretzky versus McDavid debate will never end (and that's okay). Gretzky's four cups and record-breaking stats versus McDavid's current dominance creates endless arguments. Playoff performance matters more than regular-season numbers when judging greatness. McDavid and Draisaitl have carried Edmonton's hopes since 2015, but champioships remain elusive. The Oilers organization believes one more push could bring another Stanley Cup to Edmonton. Watch how McDavid's legacy develops over his remaining years with the team.
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