WingsFan95
Registered User
I have looked over old threads (one from 2004) about discussions of an extended Gretzky Oilers tenure and ultimately I think most up for discussion is the 1991-94 period meaning 4 seasons with the 4 playoff runs.
In our timeline the Oil results were:
1991-Lost in 5 to North Stars Conference Final
I think this is clearly flipped to a Final at minimum. Against Pittsburgh would not only be a war but an absolutely legendary matchup. I think it tilts towards Edmonton in a 6-7 game series considering Minnesota got 2 wins and as much as I personally love Coffey there's something about the Oil knowing him I think would be a hindrance.
1992-Lost in 4 to Blackhawks Conference Final
The big question is Moose quite obviously. Anderson was traded too but I think in that case Damphouse comes out pretty good. Funny enough the Messier trade brought in Nicholls so that begs a lot of questions. Chicago was also a very strong team so by no means is this a guaranteed flip while by some metrics the Pens are a stronger team in the Final. However IF Messier stays on for whatever reason and the Oil technically have the mental edge of beating Pittsburgh year before, where exactly do the dominos fall?
1993-Out of Playoffs
Obviously in our timeline this team is now completely disbanded from the 90 Cup run and the Rangers have made their push. So I leave it to the expert to mull over how exactly this would roll but we know Gretz is still producing and even him by himself greatly elevates this squad. The playoffs are fairly weak as we know although Roy is still Roy however with a substantially elevated Oilers teams I think I would still favor them in the Final as opposed to the Kings team that Wayne took (though underrated for supporting cast).
1994-Out of Playoffs
I mean, yeah but some consideration has to be made for Jason Arnott who while being drafted 7th overall was the 5th Center taken so he could conceivably be drafted lower if Edmonton doesn't have as high of a pick, however going more for wingers or sticking with Centers on lower picks there are quite a few quality picks in this draft. Again what's really interesting like the 91 Pens situation is you have the New York Oilers in our timeline taking the Cup after narrowly beating Jersey and Vancouver. How does this play out with Gretzky in his arguably last great season?
Beyond 1994 I think we face three very clear factors:
Canadian Economy continues to be a problem along with Pocklington's financial problems
Gretzky is now in decline
Several contending teams in prime or on the upswing
As has been brought up many times Pocklington was going to do something after 88 so to assume everyone stays put into even 1992 is unlikely. However the Gretzky trade specifically lead to worsening finances due to attendance so it's certainly conceivable to imagine if other players like Kurri or Messier are traded instead the overall roster does survive until 93-94. Also the domino effect dictates they could luck out with some of their draft picks.
***BONUS CONSIDERATION***
The Oilers were eventually sold to a local group in 1998 to keep the team in the city. Ironically they would lose Curtis Joseph in free agency that summer which of course brings up a lot of questions if in the alternate timeline they get any top goaltender after Ranford. Gretzky was still pretty damn good in the 95-97 period as seen on the 97 Rangers so it would be interesting but again even the notion Pocklington doesn't sell off players for anywhere near that long is just foolhardy. However if he sells the team say 1996 maybe the Great One just retires in Edmonton or goes to a more stacked team like Detroit (finally) to win a last Cup.
In our timeline the Oil results were:
1991-Lost in 5 to North Stars Conference Final
I think this is clearly flipped to a Final at minimum. Against Pittsburgh would not only be a war but an absolutely legendary matchup. I think it tilts towards Edmonton in a 6-7 game series considering Minnesota got 2 wins and as much as I personally love Coffey there's something about the Oil knowing him I think would be a hindrance.
1992-Lost in 4 to Blackhawks Conference Final
The big question is Moose quite obviously. Anderson was traded too but I think in that case Damphouse comes out pretty good. Funny enough the Messier trade brought in Nicholls so that begs a lot of questions. Chicago was also a very strong team so by no means is this a guaranteed flip while by some metrics the Pens are a stronger team in the Final. However IF Messier stays on for whatever reason and the Oil technically have the mental edge of beating Pittsburgh year before, where exactly do the dominos fall?
1993-Out of Playoffs
Obviously in our timeline this team is now completely disbanded from the 90 Cup run and the Rangers have made their push. So I leave it to the expert to mull over how exactly this would roll but we know Gretz is still producing and even him by himself greatly elevates this squad. The playoffs are fairly weak as we know although Roy is still Roy however with a substantially elevated Oilers teams I think I would still favor them in the Final as opposed to the Kings team that Wayne took (though underrated for supporting cast).
1994-Out of Playoffs
I mean, yeah but some consideration has to be made for Jason Arnott who while being drafted 7th overall was the 5th Center taken so he could conceivably be drafted lower if Edmonton doesn't have as high of a pick, however going more for wingers or sticking with Centers on lower picks there are quite a few quality picks in this draft. Again what's really interesting like the 91 Pens situation is you have the New York Oilers in our timeline taking the Cup after narrowly beating Jersey and Vancouver. How does this play out with Gretzky in his arguably last great season?
Beyond 1994 I think we face three very clear factors:
Canadian Economy continues to be a problem along with Pocklington's financial problems
Gretzky is now in decline
Several contending teams in prime or on the upswing
As has been brought up many times Pocklington was going to do something after 88 so to assume everyone stays put into even 1992 is unlikely. However the Gretzky trade specifically lead to worsening finances due to attendance so it's certainly conceivable to imagine if other players like Kurri or Messier are traded instead the overall roster does survive until 93-94. Also the domino effect dictates they could luck out with some of their draft picks.
***BONUS CONSIDERATION***
The Oilers were eventually sold to a local group in 1998 to keep the team in the city. Ironically they would lose Curtis Joseph in free agency that summer which of course brings up a lot of questions if in the alternate timeline they get any top goaltender after Ranford. Gretzky was still pretty damn good in the 95-97 period as seen on the 97 Rangers so it would be interesting but again even the notion Pocklington doesn't sell off players for anywhere near that long is just foolhardy. However if he sells the team say 1996 maybe the Great One just retires in Edmonton or goes to a more stacked team like Detroit (finally) to win a last Cup.