Edmonton Oilers front office denies reports of trading top player in NHL on this week in history
Photo credit: Oil on Whyte
On this day in NHL history, former Edmonton Oilers GM Glen Sather made a statement pouring cold water on rumours of trading the best player in hockey, Wayne Gretzky.
Just a few days later, the trade to send Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings was finalized. It's a deal that still stings Edmonton fans to this day, hoping that they could've kept Gretzky for his whole career.
GM Glen Sather denied Oilers trade rumours on Gretzky just days before move was made
On August 3, 1988, rumours had begun to percolate in Edmonton that the Oilers were considering trading Gretzky largely due to financial issues. GM Glen Sather was asked to comment, and entirely lied by saying there was no truth to the reports.
It's a rumour, leave it at that. These sorts of things have been discussed for the last six years.
- Glenn Sather
- Glenn Sather
Just 5 days later on August 8th, Gretzky was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, 3 First Round Draft Picks, and cash considerations.
Neither Carson or Gelinas played very long for the Oilers and no draft picks became superstars - but it's easy to see that any trade giving up Wayne Gretzky would be a loss.
Interestingly enough, the Canadian Press also mentioned Gretzky's wedding to actress Janet Jones as an influence in the trade out of Edmonton.
The rumour of a trade comes on the heels of Gretzky's July 16th wedding to Hollywood actress Jane Jones. The couple had said they planned to maintain homes in both Edmonton and LA.
- Canadian Press, 1988
- Canadian Press, 1988
Oilers fans have already lived through the nightmare situation of losing the best player in the world, and they don't want to do it again. Insiders are near certain McDavid will re-sign in Edmonton, but rumours won't stop until the contract has finally been signed.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 5 | 455 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers front office denies reports of trading top player in NHL on this week in history Do you think the Oilers worst trade in history is the Gretzky deal? | ||
| Yes | 327 | 71.9 % |
| No | 128 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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