Yes it's been 20 years since Peter Pocklington traded away Canada's most prized asset - The Great One. The Oilers have never recovered, that's for sure. And I doubt the Kings would still be in the NHL if it wasn't for Gretzky. In fact I doubt we would have the NHL in Anaheim, Phoenix, Nashville, or Tampa Bay. The trade picked up interest south of the border and spurred expansion. The league quickly grew from 21 teams to the current 30.
Some say Gretzky out grew Edmonton. But the trade was more about money because Pocklington needed cash to keep his meat packing business going. Gretzky went to Los Angeles with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley for Jimmy Carson, Marin Gelinas, 3 first round picks and $15,000000. But at least the Oilers won one more Stanley Cup. The Kings have yet to win one.
