Top 10 Edmonton Oilers players of all time

The Edmonton Oilers can argue that they have had the best player in the history of the NHL in the shape of Wayne Gretzky, while Connor McDavid is sure to add his name to the list of all-time greats.

Oilers fans hope that McDavid will lead the franchise back to the Promised Land.

Despite a lack of team success, does McDavid land on the list of the Greatest Edmonton Oilers of All Time? Spoiler alert: absolutely. But who else should be included?

We answer that question with this list of the top 10 players in franchise history.

10. Leon Draisaitl

Since Draisaitl joined the Oilers as a 19-year-old in 2014-15, he has been one of the best players in the NHL.

He now has four seasons of more than 100 points and five consecutive seasons averaging more than a point per game.

Draisaitl should only ascend on this list as he is just 27 and already has 744 points in 638 career games played and 77 points in 49 playoff games.

9. Ryan Smyth

Ryan Smyth was synonymous with the Oilers for well over a decade, as he spent more than 14 seasons with Edmonton.

As an Oiler, he had four 30-goal seasons, four 20-goal seasons and was the heart and soul of the team. Smyth was never formally the captain, but is certainly one of the best leaders in franchise history.

8. Kevin Lowe

It is easy for players to get lost in the Oilers dynasty if their name was not Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier or Jari Kurri among others.

Unsurprisingly, you will find out why below, but Kevin Lowe was a stalwart on the 1980’s Oilers.

He was a key part of the franchise’s five Stanley Cups, was a seven-time All-Star and led the NHL in games played in three consecutive seasons from 1982-83 to 1984-85.

Lowe enjoyed a great NHL career and cannot be left out of Oilers lore.

7. Glenn Anderson

Glenn Anderson had 906 points in 845 games played as an Oiler and was another significant piece of the Oilers’ Stanley Cup successes.

In his 12 seasons with Edmonton, Anderson had five 30-goal seasons, two 40-goal seasons, and two 50-goal seasons, while surpassing 100 points in three of those seasons.

Anderson was a force in the playoffs and the story of the Oilers’ dynasty cannot be told without him.

6. Paul Coffey

Another massive piece of the 1980’s Oilers was Paul Coffey. As one of the best, most dynamic defenseman in NHL history, Coffey had five 20-goal seasons and three 100-point seasons.

He had 669 points in 532 games with the Oilers, again, as a defenseman, and helped the franchise to three Stanley Cups. 

Not enough good can be said of Coffey.

5. Grant Fuhr

Arguably the best goalie in franchise history cracks the top five, as it is no secret how massively important a goaltender is to a Stanley Cup-winning team.

Grant Fuhr gave the Oilers stability and success in the net for 10 years, which included four Oilers Stanley Cups. Fuhr was a big-game player and as reliable as goaltenders come.

Several players rightfully get shine when discussing the Oilers dynasty, Fuhr cannot be overlooked in that conversation.

4. Connor McDavid

At the ripe age of 26, Connor McDavid has already had a career that will be remembered forever in the hockey world.

He is the most dominant player in decades during a time when the game is arguably the fastest and best it has ever been.

In eight seasons McDavid is a six-time All-Star and has five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and a Rocket Richard Trophy.

That is just scratching the surface of his stat leaderboard appearances, Awards and Honors. McDavid will also only ascend on this list.

3. Jari Kurri

In ten years as an Oiler, Jari Kurri certainly made his mark. Kurri, as a defenseman, had 1,043 points in 754 games with the Oilers along with 202 playoff points in 146 playoff games.

He was a primary part of all five Oilers Stanley Cups and is one of the most celebrated players in history. Kurri’s personal and team success speaks for itself.

2. Mark Messier

One of the all-time NHL greats is also an all-time Oilers great.

Mark Messier played 12 years as an Oiler and amassed 1,034 points in 851 games, 215 playoff points in 166 playoff games, five Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Hart Trophy and a Pearson Trophy.

Messier’s talent and dominance was matched by his passion and renowned leadership. He has gone down and will remain in both Oilers and NHL lore.

1. Wayne Gretzky

It is not like there was any question that The Great One, the best player of all-time would be atop this list.

A book could be written of Wayne Gretzky’s records, awards, and personal and team accomplishments. Actually, books have been written.

Here are a few highlights with the Oilers: 1,669 points in 696 games, 252 playoff points in 120 playoff games, four Stanley Cups, eight Hart Trophies, seven Art Ross Awards, five Pearson Awards and a Conn Smythe.

The list goes on and on and on. To summarize: The Great One is undoubtedly the greatest of Oiler all time.