Wow! This is very interesting. A lot different reasoning to hear in 2023 compared to 1988. That Oilers dynasty team was perhaps the greatest assembled team in NHL history.
@@nymike06 the only way the Oilers beat the Islanders out of their fifth straight Cup was Ziegler's maniacal determination to put the Cup in Gretzky's hands by changing the final format to 2-3-2. All the Oilers had to do was get a split on the Island and they were in the driver's seat. It helped, too, in the overall scheme of things, that the Islanders played in the tough Patrick Division while the Oilers skated around in the Smythe against such power house teams as Van and LA and Calgary (I can't rmember if Winnipeg had a team in those days). Lots of Gretzky's records were accumulated against weak teams. Having said that, I won't downplay Wayne's impact on garnering US fan interest in the game. Wayne's a good guy, I guess I've always been a bit biased towards the greatest pure goal scorer the league has ever seen or ever will see : Mike Bossy. .76 goals per game, which will never be equalled.
@@michaelzilkowsky2936 The late Bossy was wonderful! What an underrated incredible player. I have always been a NY Rangers fan. Bossy's dominance in the 80s prevented the Rangers from advancing, possibly to the Finals on a few occasions. Nevertheless, I respect greatness. The Islanders had an incredible run with a loaded team. I would give the edge to Edmonton's run. All the lines were HOF players. I never saw a goal scoring team like them. They literally could put up 7-10 goals a night if they tried hard enough. All those Oilers players who came to the Rangers helped them win a Cup.
@@nymike06 I am not sure of Edmonton's number, but the Islanders had 16 core players with their name engraved into the Cup during their run. That speaks well of the core of the team, but on the other hand might indicate that they didn't do as good a job as they should have bringing in new players to learn from that core. Bossy got the shit end of the stick even in death. Through his life everyone talked about Gretzky and Mario (who don't have a .76 goals per game average), and then a week after he died Lafleur died and hogged the headlines. I once gave John Davidson a ride in my cab, he was here for an exhibition game, and I asked him what it was like facing Bossy. "You knew what he was going to do but you couldn't stop him. By the time you'd get across to cover him, the puck was already in the net" due to his accuracy and quick release. His 50th in 50 goal is amazing......he settled down a bouncing puck, or at least settled it down enough to whack it out of mid air (an inch or so off the ice) and through the five hole. 🙂
Gretzky was pushed out of Edmonton by Pocklington period!! He was and always will be the greatest to ever play the game of hockey. People say it was good for the NHL but it was definitely not good for Canadian hockey and now there are at least 10 extra teams true hockey fans don’t want!!
I worked on the Edmonton Airport ramp and was on ramp 2 when he was boarding Mcnalls private jet. There were no tears, Gretz was all smiles as he was walking up the jets air stairs. Sure it was tough to leave initially when saying goodbye to his teammates, but he sure didn’t look heartbroken getting on the plane.
And truly, you need to know Pocklington's businesses were failing badly he needed capital to save them, so while everything else is and was true, this fact is often overlooked.
The trade was the combo effect of 3 factors: 1) Pocklington not wanting to match the highest bidder when Gretzky became an unrestricted free agent. Was too risky for him if there was an escalated bidding war and possibly losing Gretzky for nothing in return. 2) Pocklington wanting the 15 million cash up front for his floundering business ventures. If not for the floundering business ventures, Pocklington could have matched an offer for 1-2 million per season. But the 15 million was just too tempting. 3) Janet’s influence: Wayne wanting to start a family with her, and getting paid in US dollars and the inevitable publicity that would come from being exposed in a US market. The idea of going to LA - the higher profile celebrity status Wayne would get - was exciting for both of them and a fresh start that they could live out together. It was the final piece of the puzzle that allowed Wayne to justify the trade to himself. In conclusion, if Pocklington had allowed Wayne to become a free agent on the condition that Wayne would stay if he matched any offer, Wayne would have stayed in Edmonton if Pocklington matched the highest offer. I firmly believe that. In the end, the risk was too great for Pocklington to overcome his need for the 15 million.
I witnessed the 1988 press con as a kid. The entire nation broke down, except for some. I was almost sure my uncles were happy too because the Canucks were getting killed by the Oilers for years. With Wayne out, all they have to deal with is Messier and Lowe. And just like every sports owner out there, to keep a juggernaut team like the Oilers, requires $$$$. Pocklington's business ventures were bleeding. Fast forward 2023, I;m sure Connor McDavid may be in the same situation come contract time.
Was a great loss for Edmonton, but probably the best thing that ever happened to the NHL! Wayne coming to the Kings opened up much of the US to hockey. Helped to greatly expand the NHL fan base and audience in the US.
@@Mik-xq2co Maybe in California and the surrounding west coast and southwest area. Hockey was always popular in the Great Lakes region and East Coast. Wayne was only one player.
@@jimmiematho8082 So what he supposed to do sign for less then what he was worth. I bet you wouldn't if you were in his position. The greatest needs to be paid like the greatests. Pocklington should have trade other players. Oilers would be that dynasty without Grettx. PERIOD.
I thought that the Oilers traded Gretzky only because Pocklington needed to make up for the money he lost when his other businesses struggled. I didn't think that Gretzky would be a UFA in 1989 or 1990.
I thought that the Oilers traded Gretzky only because Pocklington needed to make up for the money he lost when his other businesses struggled. I didn't think that Gretzky would be a UFA in 1989 or 1990.
Gretzky was newly married and Janet had no desire to stay in Edmonton and raise their family there. Gretzky basically admits it here, and he was ready for a trade.
They would have won four or five more, and everybody knew pocklington was lying and when Wayne says Janet was the second most hated the most hated was Peter pocklington I don't know if Wayne was trying to intonate that he was the most hated he was never the most hated he was the most loved we wanted the prime minister to stop the trade
Yep, we hated his wife, i was a 10/11 when he was traded, we didn't really understand why, had Gretzky stayed, that team likely would of won at more than a few more cups.
@ nope. I lived in the Detroit suburbs for over 50 years. I grew up a leaf’s fan watching hockey night in Canada. Then the wings started to become exiting in the mid 80s. In the 70s, the kings had Marcel Dionne, perhaps the best player in the league. No one got to watch him play. Same with bure in Vancouver. I don’t understand why u can’t understand the point I am making.
Sure, Gretzky was sad to leave Edmonton in 1988 but he and his family knew it was inevitable. He later stated how happy he was to have moved to LA and what a great move it was. For Canadians who just kept blaming Janet or Peter P, I say that they refusing to accept reality for far too long. What’s the payoff for holding onto bitter resentments and trying to live as if …?
“We got back to my apartment…” Wayne was ready to leave Edmonton and already had a place in LA lined up. Crocodile tears when he was ‘traded’… Am glad the Habs and that idiot’s illegal stick prevented him from lifting the cup again.
Please. That myth has been dispelled. She did nothing but stay home and have children. Would you have rather lived in 1990's LA or Edmonton? Pretty easy choice.
@biffdanielson2820 Her career peaked from the 80's into the early 90's. Anyone would rather live in LA than Edmonton, but she didn't just sit around and have kids during the time Gretz was traded. It's no myth. Hockey means a hell of a lot more to people in Edmonton than LA
Wow! This is very interesting. A lot different reasoning to hear in 2023 compared to 1988.
That Oilers dynasty team was perhaps the greatest assembled team in NHL history.
"That Oilers dynasty team was perhaps the greatest assembled team in NHL history."
Except for the Islanders dynasty.
@@michaelzilkowsky2936 I would take the Oilers over the Islanders.
@@nymike06 the only way the Oilers beat the Islanders out of their fifth straight Cup was Ziegler's maniacal determination to put the Cup in Gretzky's hands by changing the final format to 2-3-2. All the Oilers had to do was get a split on the Island and they were in the driver's seat.
It helped, too, in the overall scheme of things, that the Islanders played in the tough Patrick Division while the Oilers skated around in the Smythe against such power house teams as Van and LA and Calgary (I can't rmember if Winnipeg had a team in those days). Lots of Gretzky's records were accumulated against weak teams.
Having said that, I won't downplay Wayne's impact on garnering US fan interest in the game. Wayne's a good guy, I guess I've always been a bit biased towards the greatest pure goal scorer the league has ever seen or ever will see : Mike Bossy.
.76 goals per game, which will never be equalled.
@@michaelzilkowsky2936 The late Bossy was wonderful! What an underrated incredible player. I have always been a NY Rangers fan. Bossy's dominance in the 80s prevented the Rangers from advancing, possibly to the Finals on a few occasions. Nevertheless, I respect greatness. The Islanders had an incredible run with a loaded team. I would give the edge to Edmonton's run. All the lines were HOF players. I never saw a goal scoring team like them. They literally could put up 7-10 goals a night if they tried hard enough. All those Oilers players who came to the Rangers helped them win a Cup.
@@nymike06 I am not sure of Edmonton's number, but the Islanders had 16 core players with their name engraved into the Cup during their run. That speaks well of the core of the team, but on the other hand might indicate that they didn't do as good a job as they should have bringing in new players to learn from that core.
Bossy got the shit end of the stick even in death. Through his life everyone talked about Gretzky and Mario (who don't have a .76 goals per game average), and then a week after he died Lafleur died and hogged the headlines.
I once gave John Davidson a ride in my cab, he was here for an exhibition game, and I asked him what it was like facing Bossy.
"You knew what he was going to do but you couldn't stop him. By the time you'd get across to cover him, the puck was already in the net" due to his accuracy and quick release.
His 50th in 50 goal is amazing......he settled down a bouncing puck, or at least settled it down enough to whack it out of mid air (an inch or so off the ice) and through the five hole. 🙂
Gretzky was pushed out of Edmonton by Pocklington period!! He was and always will be the greatest to ever play the game of hockey. People say it was good for the NHL but it was definitely not good for Canadian hockey and now there are at least 10 extra teams true hockey fans don’t want!!
Wow, 99 on the 90s Wings would have been unreal.
I worked on the Edmonton Airport ramp and was on ramp 2 when he was boarding Mcnalls private jet. There were no tears, Gretz was all smiles as he was walking up the jets air stairs. Sure it was tough to leave initially when saying goodbye to his teammates, but he sure didn’t look heartbroken getting on the plane.
And truly, you need to know Pocklington's businesses were failing badly he needed capital to save them, so while everything else is and was true, this fact is often overlooked.
So, Gretzky is the Babe Ruth of Hockey
and just lke his buisneeses he made the wrong call on the Gretz trade
The trade was the combo effect of 3 factors:
1) Pocklington not wanting to match the highest bidder when Gretzky became an unrestricted free agent. Was too risky for him if there was an escalated bidding war and possibly losing Gretzky for nothing in return.
2) Pocklington wanting the 15 million cash up front for his floundering business ventures. If not for the floundering business ventures, Pocklington could have matched an offer for 1-2 million per season. But the 15 million was just too tempting.
3) Janet’s influence: Wayne wanting to start a family with her, and getting paid in US dollars and the inevitable publicity that would come from being exposed in a US market. The idea of going to LA - the higher profile celebrity status Wayne would get - was exciting for both of them and a fresh start that they could live out together. It was the final piece of the puzzle that allowed Wayne to justify the trade to himself.
In conclusion, if Pocklington had allowed Wayne to become a free agent on the condition that Wayne would stay if he matched any offer, Wayne would have stayed in Edmonton if Pocklington matched the highest offer. I firmly believe that. In the end, the risk was too great for Pocklington to overcome his need for the 15 million.
I witnessed the 1988 press con as a kid. The entire nation broke down, except for some. I was almost sure my uncles were happy too because the Canucks were getting killed by the Oilers for years. With Wayne out, all they have to deal with is Messier and Lowe. And just like every sports owner out there, to keep a juggernaut team like the Oilers, requires $$$$. Pocklington's business ventures were bleeding. Fast forward 2023, I;m sure Connor McDavid may be in the same situation come contract time.
I’m hoping it does bro I’m hoping history repeats here and mcdavid comes here to my LA kings 😭🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Was a great loss for Edmonton, but probably the best thing that ever happened to the NHL! Wayne coming to the Kings opened up much of the US to hockey. Helped to greatly expand the NHL fan base and audience in the US.
Bingo.! It was huge for the NHL
@@Mik-xq2co Maybe in California and the surrounding west coast and southwest area. Hockey was always popular in the Great Lakes region and East Coast. Wayne was only one player.
Sad thing was that Gretz never won a cup after he was traded.
Almost.
Gretz wouldnt sign an extension so they kinda had to trade him. Imagine him walking and getting nothing back.
They wouldn't have got all that bad karma. They've been shit ever since
Didn't have tot trade Gretz there were others that could have been traded. You don't trade the greatest player in the game.
Because the greatest hockey player of all time wanted to be the highest paid player🤔 Peter pocklington said he wouldn't match
@@jimmiematho8082 So what he supposed to do sign for less then what he was worth. I bet you wouldn't if you were in his position. The greatest needs to be paid like the greatests. Pocklington should have trade other players. Oilers would be that dynasty without Grettx. PERIOD.
@@jgs988 the Oilers should have matched whatever offer Wayne got ,he was the best ever.
That's what they do today
I remember when the glass came off and fell on her and he skated off the ice and helped classic
I thought that the Oilers traded Gretzky only because Pocklington needed to make up for the money he lost when his other businesses struggled. I didn't think that Gretzky would be a UFA in 1989 or 1990.
Change is good. It’s a shame Crosby is gonna rot in Pittsburgh.
Should have been a Red Wing
“ Promised Mess I wouldn’t do this “
Pocklington did himself no favors but …
WAYNE
APPROVED
THE TRADE
I thought that the Oilers traded Gretzky only because Pocklington needed to make up for the money he lost when his other businesses struggled. I didn't think that Gretzky would be a UFA in 1989 or 1990.
Pocklington pocketed a cool mil and McNall went to jail
How many US teams exist because of this man?
Maybe one, possibly two. The NHL was around for a long time before Wayne and that’s not to diminish his impact on hockey.
@LarryDanaDavid Dude was responsible for popularizing the sport in the SW US. IMO, Wayne made the right v choice.
Gretzky was newly married and Janet had no desire to stay in Edmonton and raise their family there. Gretzky basically admits it here, and he was ready for a trade.
They would have won four or five more, and everybody knew pocklington was lying and when Wayne says Janet was the second most hated the most hated was Peter pocklington I don't know if Wayne was trying to intonate that he was the most hated he was never the most hated he was the most loved we wanted the prime minister to stop the trade
Bruce McNull and Void
What a legend
Too bad the owner at the time couldn’t afford to keep that team together. I got to see them up close and it was pretty special.
Yep, we hated his wife, i was a 10/11 when he was traded, we didn't really understand why, had Gretzky stayed, that team likely would of won at more than a few more cups.
how unstoppable would they have been if gretzky stayed and they picked up lemieux
Lafleur almost went there in 1982
Crazy to breakup a team that is winning cups...
Going to LA was a disaster. No one watched west coast games. Detroit or Philly would have been a nice fit.
What!? They went to the finals in '93. How was that a disaster?
@ no one watches west coast hockey, they never have
@ the biggest star ever played with few watching the broadcasts. Imagine how huge he would have been in Philly
@@chevy4x466 you must be a Flyers fan.
@ nope. I lived in the Detroit suburbs for over 50 years. I grew up a leaf’s fan watching hockey night in Canada. Then the wings started to become exiting in the mid 80s. In the 70s, the kings had Marcel Dionne, perhaps the best player in the league. No one got to watch him play. Same with bure in Vancouver.
I don’t understand why u can’t understand the point I am making.
He has nice teeth for a 80s hockey player
He can thank Marty mcsorley for that.
i would have trade Messier, ANderson or someone other than Gretzky. He was the Oilers.
So he wasnt going to re-sign an yet he tells everyone he wanted to stay in Edmonton
If he stayed in Edmonton Oilers would've gotten at least 8 cups
LA owner Bruce McNall ended up in prison years later.
And the Oilers haven't been the same ever since.
It was easier for him and Janet to go to LA
Man ik he the goat but thank the lord Detroit didn’t trade for him
Wayne must be getting tired of telling this story an 100 podcasts and 1000 interviews. He would have been a Canuck and owned 25% of the team
Gretzky orchestrated it. He only wanted to go to L.A. and so did his wife.
lol
Sure, Gretzky was sad to leave Edmonton in 1988 but he and his family knew it was inevitable. He later stated how happy he was to have moved to LA and what a great move it was. For Canadians who just kept blaming Janet or Peter P, I say that they refusing to accept reality for far too long. What’s the payoff for holding onto bitter resentments and trying to live as if …?
I think is was the wedding ring made him a LA king.
Maybe so
or the fact peter couldnt pay him his worth as a UFA and you cant let him walk for free
@@Reidski97 more than likely the ring 💍 made him a LA king.
@@Reidski97 Exactly!
@@cindyrussell1581 he explains exactly why that is false in this very video. Did you watch it?
“We got back to my apartment…” Wayne was ready to leave Edmonton and already had a place in LA lined up. Crocodile tears when he was ‘traded’… Am glad the Habs and that idiot’s illegal stick prevented him from lifting the cup again.
Those were definitely fake tears.
Oh please Gretzky was dying to get out of that frozen wasteland
Should of stayed with edmonton for a couple more years and win a couple more cups before he moved elsewhere. What was the big hurry to. Be a loser
He claims he didnt want to go, yet his wife was trying to become a Hollywood actress....hmm. He turned down more cups for his wifes d-list career
Please. That myth has been dispelled. She did nothing but stay home and have children. Would you have rather lived in 1990's LA or Edmonton? Pretty easy choice.
@biffdanielson2820 Her career peaked from the 80's into the early 90's. Anyone would rather live in LA than Edmonton, but she didn't just sit around and have kids during the time Gretz was traded. It's no myth. Hockey means a hell of a lot more to people in Edmonton than LA
@joshd007 No, it didn't.
@@biffdanielson2820 It appears we have to agree to disagree
@joshd007 No, we don't.
BS.