Crazy Oilers Theory

As those who know me well can attest,  I am the furthest thing from a sports expert that you could ever get.



But as a lifelong Edmontonian, I can't help feeling that there is some kind of energy missing in our city when it comes to the Oilers.


We know we achieved greatness exactly 30 years ago. I remember watching the fateful game at my Grandma Simonne's house with my dad, and will never forget the sound of car horns honking. All night.


We even achieved greatness in 1990, two years after Wayne Gretzky left us. So we know that, while he was a big factor in the Oilers' previous Stanley Cups, he wasn't the exclusive factor. (Boy, would I love to get him drunk and get a definitive answer on the whole was-he-sold-like-a-piece-of-meat-or-did-he-want-to-go conundrum. But I digress).


Or did the culture that deal created, the whole "Well, if Gretzky is worth $20 million, then my client is worth...", kill both the fun and work ethic of professional hockey?  Is today's squad massively stressed out by the spectre of past glories?


I don't know. As Yoda would put it, "A sports expert, not am I. Luke, like Great One you will not be, if train you not. Now put down donair and CONCENTRATE!"


But I know 4 things:


1) For now Eakins and MacTavish have the power.


2) Eight years is a LONG time between Cup runs.


3) I miss interacting with well-behaved partying fans on Whyte Avenue during Cup runs.


4) People will be a LOT more forgiving about paying for swanky new downtown arenas if they have a productive winning team to support.


Just a few random thoughts...


Let's remember...







Here's a bonus...





Have a great night!


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