Player Profiles

Today, the National Hockey League is very different than it was when the Oilers ruled the league.

By the early 1990s, principles of team defence and rigid play-it-safe systems, like the left-wing lock and neutral-zone trap, have taken over the game. By the turn of the century, not only was the era of the 200-point superstar dead, it was rare to see even the most talented of forwards hit the 100-point mark.

Since the league has become more defensive, it is hard to compare—at least in terms of statistics—the Oilers stars of the 1990s and the early part of the 21st century, with the high scoring team of the 1980s. Although, Oilers like Doug Weight to goalies Curtis Joseph and Bill Ranford have given Albertans more than a few reasons to cheer.

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