How Trading Wayne Gretzky Changed Hockey Forever

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The Wayne Gretzky trade transformed hockey forever. This video takes you behind the scenes of 'The Trade' that shook up the NHL, making way for more Western teams and changing the game itself. We'll explore what happened next, how new teams sprouted up, and why this trade wasn't just about players - it was about growing the sport we all adore. Join us as we unpack how a single trade can have a lasting impact on hockey's history and excitement.
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[@HughJorgan1]

Gretzky has said he thinks he could’ve won 4 more Cups if he stayed in Edmonton and the core of the team remained the same.

[@lessthanthreemetal]

Gretzky vs Lemieux would have been insane. We were robbed

[@broadstreet21]

Well the only way that happens is if Pocklington has deep pockets or raises ticket prices to offset the players rising salary. But I'm sure many fans would fork out more money for it.

[@Ramuh.]

​@broadstreet21 if he wasn't greedy villain and had a heart, maybe

[@broadstreet21]

@@Ramuh. Nothing about greed. Pocklington would need to raise ticket prices to break even.

​@@broadstreet21amen my friend. When he was traded the league was growing. You put the best player in the league in one of the largest tv markets in the world and you got money. Plus he's playing in the same building as the Lakers at the time. The city of Edmonton is owed a debt of gratitude for helping to grow the game.

[@classic.cameras]

I was a kid when this happened. I lived in Edmonton and we had no clue what the fudge just happened. Decades later my buddy in Buffalo sent me a 1987-88 Topps card where Gretzky is holding his new jersey. Amazing collectible that has become to me. It blew me away my friend I never met in person sent me such an amazing card.

[@SuperWAGs1]

I remember being in Canada as a kid in teh early 80's... every April fool's day there would be a radio story that Gretzky had been traded to another team!! That's how unthinkable it was!

[@thebestdefenseman]

As a die hard kings fan that lives near Anaheim, it’s crazy to think that If that trade never happened, my dad would’ve never gotten into hockey, and never got me into hockey. Hockey is my life rn, and idk where I’d be rn if gretz never came to LA. Thx Pete 😂

[@WeeBabySeamus95]

I also grew up around Anaheim. No way my parents would have been introduced to hockey if Gretz hadn’t been traded. I got to grow up cheering for Kariya, learning inline hockey, then eventually transitioned to ice. Im a huge hockey nerd now. It’s funny, now I’ve circled back to being the biggest oilers fan the last 13 years. Very bizarre, but Thank you Peter Pocklington!!

[@CommodoreFloopjack78]

Next up: Edmonton sends Connor McDavid packing.

[@jonokiller]

imagine lol

[@jonah.donohue]

Won't happen

[@MadMax-el2el]

A second time? Ouch I don't think the riots in the city of chumps would leave much behind maybe a mall and one way street signs

[@xIceyx115]

Lol more like bedard in 3 years

[@UngasBungus69]

@@jonah.donohuelmfao

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

Prostars was the cartoon show Gretzky was in. Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson were the other two characters.

[@Pix3lPalace]

Kinda crazy that he would have been traded to Detroit instead of LA if his dad didn’t change his mind imagine how many more cups we would have won

[@gregpellegrin8713]

I still don't buy this..... NOBODY in Detroit has EVER mentioned this and were absolutely zero rumors of this here..... And what trade Yzerman, Lidstrom, and Fedorov? NO THANKS!

[@BasedRanger]

​​@@gregpellegrin8713 This came from Gretzky's own lips, look it up. I'm a Wings fan myself, and I will say that I'm glad it didn't happen in the end for the reasons you mentioned.

[@mika_prodzisgoated]

Honestly he made hockey a thing in the states idk if I would even had put on skates if it was not for him

[@farkuso]

your channel is so underrated

[@HecticHockey]

Thank you man!

[@HecticHockey]

Was the Gretzky trade the most important trade in the history of sports?

[@lessthanthreemetal]

Yeah, I don't think anything really comes close. If Jordan had been dealt from the Bulls in the 90s, would have been the only trade bigger

[@broadstreet21]

I think the Babe Ruth trade was the most important. No trade there, no Yankees. Red Sox dynasty only lasts into the twenties, maybe thirties, before imploding from lousy finances. It was no curse. Cardinaks emerge as premiere franchise, their rivalry with the Cubs takes center stage. Red Sox title in 2004 ends a seventy year drought, but not called a curse.

[@moody9442]

@@lessthanthreemetal it only would have been bigger news cuz he had a bigger name(not better player) in the short term and he wouldnt have reshaped the league. possible comparison is labron james has gotten traded 4 times and its news is a flash in the pan and he challanges jordan for one of the greats and the nba landscape is still the same.

[@Andrea-ue2uw]

Peter you DOLT You literally made the man cry

[@joenhl4387]

my dad saw this happen and still says it was the most shocking thing he ever witnessed in hockey

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

He actually averaged 185 points per season in Edmonton: 1669 points in 9 seasons in 696 games = 2.4 PPG (192 points in 80 game increments). Ridiculous.

[@antchili1254]

So this trade actually kinda wrecked the nhl for Canadians because we’d probably have more Canadian teams or northern USA teams

[@moody9442]

gary bettman is doing a fine job of that.

[@michaelchristensen5421]

Because of Gretzky and the other great players of the Oilers, the NHL created five new rules to offset the Oilers powerhouse players. It is commonly known as the Gretzky rule .

[@moody9442]

still the best

[@bipity-bob]

although i think gordie howe was better, i cant deny that gretz is the greatest and has the most recognizable legacy for non hockey fans

[@broadstreet21]

Gretzky says he could have won four mors cups if he stayed in Edmonton. Implying if he hadnt been traded, he would have re-signed in Edmonton? I'd been crunching scenarios, what if he never been traded? I see him leaving in free agency anyway. Edmonton couldnt possibly compete financially, and other teams have opportunity. Gretzky joins the Kings in free agency, a team that doesnt give up Carson and Gelinas in a trade. The latter two help put him over the top, they make three finals appearances: 1992 (loss vs Penguins), 1993 (win vs Canadiens), and 1994 (win vs Rangers). These high profile matches give the NHL the catalyst to secure their coveted TV deals, secure a lasting American fanbase, provide revenue to avoid the labour disputes. The Oilers, burned by Gretzky's departure, hafe no option but to trade the rest of their core players for cash, picks. In the end, they wind up drafting Eric Lindros, surrounding hjm with other key players. They win a chip in 1996 before later trading Lindros before he leafes in free agency - only to possibly win another chip in 2006.

[@moody9442]

imagine if lemieux had no cups cuz gretzky was still an oiler...... ouch.

[@broadstreet21]

@@moody9442 If Gretzky remained in Edmonton until 1992, he'd probably win in 91, but Lemieux would have it in 92. He had Bowmann coaching him, Bowman could solve Gretzky.

[@moody9442]

to people who think gretzky couldnt play in todays game remember that gretzky played with jagr and jagr played till 2017. so im betting if a 43 yr old jagr could hang with todays players gretzky would steamroll them if he were in his prime today.

[@gregpellegrin8713]

DUDE KNEW HE WAS BEING TRADED THE ENTIRE TIME! If he acted as if he had no clue, then Canadian fans would be more understanding and NOT blame him..... When in reality, his new Hollywood wife WAS NOT going to live in Edmonton EVER and was planned all along..... Had he willingly and proactively been traded to a team like LA Oilers fans and canadians across the country would have turned on him and hated him forever.....

[@malcolmholmes2596]

Lol Arizona

[@GoggyL29]

The city still hasn't forgiven him

[@goalscorerlajon]

The backgammon game NEVER TOOK PLACE. It's a myth.