2009-2015 Edmonton Oilers vs 1982- 1987 New Jersey "Mickey Mouse" Devils

[oilersfan87]

For those who don't know, over 30 years ago Wayne Gretzky said what could quite possibly be the most ironic quote of all time (with hindsight), after racking up 8 points in a ridiculous 13-4 victory against the New Jersey Devils.

“It’s got to a point where it isn’t even funny. How long has it been for them? Three years? Five? Seven? Probably closer to nine. Well, it’s time they got their act together. They’re ruining the whole league. They had better stop running a Mickey Mouse organization and put somebody on ice.â€

-Wayne Gretzky

I wonder how Gretzky feels now that the great Oilers of the 80s lead by Gretzky have now ironically became a Mickey Mouse Organization. As someone who was not around in the 80s, I'm just wondering if the Oilers have been bad enough over the past 6 years to be considered worse than the "Mickey Mouse" Devils. Has there ever been a stretch in NHL history a team has faced of consistently bad hockey (5 years or longer) worse than the Devils and Oilers have faced?

Click to read more...

 

[Jumptheshark]

oilers and iy aint close

 

[Fourier]

oilers and iy aint close

I was at that game and I can assure you that the Oilers have never looked as bad as the Devils did that evening. New Jersey that year had a goal differential of -119 and had 41 points.

The thing that set Gretzky off was that Ron Low was in net. Had the Oilers wanted to there is no question in my mind they could have scored 20-25 goals that night and Gretzky could easily have broken Sittler's record. I can honestly say that I have never seen such a one sided game.

I am not even really sure why the time frame on the poll is what it is. The game took place in 1983, not 1987.

The Devils started out as the Kansas City Scouts. Their record going into the 83-84 season was:

KC Scouts:
74-75 15 wins and 41 points in 80 games Goal differential = -144
75-76 12 wins and 36 points in 80 games Goal differential = -161
Colorado Rockies
76-77 20 wins and 54 points in 80 games Goal differential = -81
77-78 19 wins and 59 points in 80 games Goal differential = -48
78-79 15 wins and 42 points in 80 games Goal differential = -121
79-80 19 wins and 51 points in 80 games Goal differential = -74
80-81 22 wins and 57 points in 80 games Goal differential = -86
81-82 18 wins and 49 points in 80 games Goal differential = -121

NJD
82-83 17 wins and 48 points in 80 games Goal differential = -108

Frustration with the Oilers is completely understandable. But there is no way that even as bad as they have been that they compete with the worst franchises of that era.

 

[RattsSSV]

Great post Fourier. As another old dog I laugh when so many fans get up in arms.

Honestly these haven't even been the worst Oilers. Worse for longer, yeah, but the 92-93 Oilers were wretched. Plus Pocklington was selling the best players we have ever had.

 

[Da McBomb]

At least the Oilers haven't lost 13-4 yet?