The greatest team in NHL history is … the 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers
captained by the legendary Wayne Gretzky.
NHL All Time Leading Scorer Wayne Gretzky
The Oilers emerged from more than 3.6 million votes through
interactive digital and mobile programs from April 13 to May 25 as
the greatest team of all time.
Led by Gretzky, the Oilers won their second consecutive
championship that season, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in the
Stanley Cup Final. Gretzky matched a modern record achieved by Jean
Beliveau in 1956 and Mike Bossy in 1982 with seven goals in five
games.
Gretzky also established playoff records for assists (30) and
points (47) as the Penguins rolled to sweeps over the Los Angeles
Kings and the Winnipeg Jets before dispatching the Chicago
Blackhawks in six games in the 1985 conference finals.
Others record-breaking performances were Jari Kurri’s 19 goals in
18 games to tie an NHL mark for playoff goals in one season, and
Paul Coffey’s 12 goals and 25 assists to become the highest scoring
defenseman in one playoff season.
“We had a love for the game,” Gretzky said. “All of us loved being
at the rink. We loved playing and we loved practicing. I think from
(Mark) Messier to (Glenn) Anderson to (Coffey) to Kevin Lowe to
Kurri, we showed up for practice. We practiced hard.”
During a media interview at the announcement before Game 4 of the
Stanley Cup Final in Nashville, NBA broadcaster and former player
Charles Barkley snuck in a question for Gretzky at the podium.
(L to R) Charles Barkley, Paul Coffey, Wayne Gretzky
“Wayne, I just always wondered, who is your favorite black athlete
of all time?” the basketball Hall of Famer asked.
Gretzky immediately answered, “Grant Fuhr,” his former Oilers
teammate.
Barkley, a big hockey fan, respects the game.
“There is nothing more nerve-wracking than Stanley Cup overtime
hockey,” Charles Barkley said. “It’s the craziest thing you’re ever
going to see.”
Gretzky called Barkley the biggest hockey fan in North American.
“Literally,” Barkley said jokingly. “But I’m going on a diet.”
Other top 10 teams in the voting were the 1991-92 Pittsburgh
Penguins, 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, 1987-88 Oilers, 1986-87
Oilers, 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings, 1982-83 New York Islanders,
1977-78 Canadiens, 1983-84 Oilers and 2001-02 Red Wings.