I was watching a game on the Classic NHL network and it was a 1983 playoff game in the Smythe divison between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Not only was it good to see the name, Smythe Division, again, but it brought back good memories watching the Oiler Dynasty team of the 80's. In net was Andy Moog, backed up by Grant Fuhr. On defence was Paul Coffey, Charlie Huddy and Randy Gregg to name a few. Up front was a collection of Hall of Famers - Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson and of course Wayne Gretzky. In that game, Gretzky scored a hat trick with relative ease (one of them being of the short-handed nature). The game was 7-1 by the end of the 2nd and it didn't seem like the Oilers had broken a sweat.
I was wondering whether we'd see another purely dominant team like this ever again in the NHL? A part of me doesn't think so. With the age of salary caps, contractual terms and inflated player egos, I would find it hard to believe there would be a team that would be as stacked as the Edmonton Oilers. Especially with 30 teams in the league, the talent pool just seems too diluted. I guess it's good in a way that it gives all teams a better chance at competing, but it would be fun to see another Oiler-like team again (especially if it's your home team!).
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