Kings Ransom: Revisiting the “Trade of the Century”

36 years ago today, on August 9, 1988, history was made in the NHL as one of the most significant events occurred: Wayne Gretzky often hailed as the greatest hockey player of all time, was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. This transaction was more than a simple exchange; it may be the most shocking trade, ever.

Gretzky, who had led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s, was the heart and soul of Edmonton’s winning streak. The ripple effect of the trade caused mass confusion in Edmonton and the start of a fresh chapter for the Kings.

The Kings acquired Gretzky in a major deal that also included Mike Krushelnyski, and Marty McSorley from the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for Martin Gelinas, Jimmy Carson, three first-round picks in 1989 (Jason Miller), 1991 (Martin Rucinsky), 1993 (Nick Stajduhar), and $15 million in cash.

Gretzky’s move to Los Angeles immediately brought the Kings into the spotlight and added credibility to the team. His presence boosted the team’s performance and significantly raised the NHL’s profile in the American market. The Kings made it to the playoffs every year Gretzky was with them and even made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993, on what may be the most controversial call of all time, which saw Gretzky get his stick up on Toronto Maple Leafs‘ captain Doug Gilmour. The referee Kerry Fraser didn’t call a penalty and Gretzky went on to score the game-winning goal to push for a Game 7.

This deal created a surge of interest in hockey across the country, which helped the league flourish and expand in the years that followed. Gretzky’s trade to Los Angeles was more than just a transaction; it was a turning point that changed both the NHL and the organization.

36 years later, Gretzky is still deemed the greatest player ever. He had 894 goals, and 1,963 assists for 2,857 points, which included 50 hat-tricks, the most by any NHL player in those categories.