As much as I loved the Gretzky-led cups. You have to realise how special that one without him was.
No Coffey, No Gretzky. Fuhr was suspended for cocaine use.
We didn't think we had a chance.
Messiers first 'Guaruntee' to knock out the Hawks. Then Ranford putting on an all-time goaltending performance against former Oiler starter Andy Moog in the finals.
That 5th Oiler cup win was incredibly special. It also cemented Messiers legacy out of Gretzky's shadow.
It was when we truly knew how great the dynasty team was. Also sad because we kinda knew with Gretz and Mess they could have won 3-4 more cups.
Epilogue:
Following year an injured Oiler lineup limped into the conference finals. Not hard to imagine, but with 99 we would have beat the north stars. And then we could have witnessed a Gretz/Lemieux final.
Oilers traded Messier, and still made it to the Conference Finals. Easy to imagine a Gretz/Mess lead Oilers team making it there and beating the Hawks for a back to back Gretz/Lemieux showdown.
In 93 Gretz lead kings made it to the finals. Easy to imagine the Dynasty Oilers being able to dispatch Roy's habs.
In 94 a bulk of the 1990 cup winning Oilers roster won another one in Rangers jerseys. Pretty easy to imagine a Gretzky/Messier lead Dynasty Oiler team winning another.
If you include 89, That Oilers dynasty could have won 10 cups.