Frequently Asked Questions About the Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers play 41 regular season home games at Rogers Place between October and April each season. Game times typically start at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM Mountain Time on weeknights, with weekend games sometimes scheduled for afternoon starts at 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, the official ticket vendor, or directly from the Oilers' website. Single-game tickets usually go on sale in September before the season starts, with prices ranging from approximately $50 for upper bowl seats to over $300 for lower bowl and club seats. Season ticket packages and partial plans offer better value for fans attending multiple games. The secondary market through StubHub or SeatGeek often provides options when games sell out, though prices fluctuate based on opponent and team performance. Rogers Place offers a modern arena experience with excellent sightlines from virtually every seat, and the building is located in downtown Edmonton's Ice District, providing easy access to restaurants and parking.

Wayne Gretzky stands as the greatest Oiler and arguably the greatest hockey player ever, recording 1,669 points in just 696 games with Edmonton from 1979 to 1988. He won four Stanley Cups, nine Hart Trophies as league MVP, and set records that may never be broken, including 215 points in the 1985-86 season. Mark Messier ranks second in franchise importance, serving as captain for five Cup wins and providing leadership that defined championship hockey. Messier recorded 1,034 points in 851 games across two stints with Edmonton. Jari Kurri, the Finnish Flash, scored 1,043 points in 754 games and formed a legendary partnership with Gretzky. Paul Coffey revolutionized offensive defenseman play, recording 48 goals in 1985-86, still a record for defensemen. Grant Fuhr provided elite goaltending during the dynasty years, winning four Cups and the Vezina Trophy in 1988. Among current players, Connor McDavid has already established himself in this conversation with five Art Ross Trophies and three Hart Trophies, while Leon Draisaitl's 2020 MVP award and consistent 100-point seasons place him among franchise greats.

The Edmonton Oilers compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The Pacific Division includes eight teams: Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Kraken, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks. This divisional alignment was established during the 2013 realignment that reorganized the NHL from six divisions into four. The Oilers play each Pacific Division opponent four times per season (two home, two away), accounting for 28 of their 82 regular season games. They face Central Division teams (Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg, Arizona, Chicago) three times each, and Eastern Conference teams either twice or once depending on rotation. Divisional standings determine three of the four playoff spots from each division, with two wild card spots available for the next best teams in the conference regardless of division. The Pacific Division rivalry with Calgary, known as the Battle of Alberta, represents one of hockey's most intense geographic rivalries, dating back to the 1980s when both teams competed for Stanley Cups.

The Edmonton Oilers have won five Stanley Cup championships, all during their dominant dynasty period between 1984 and 1990. The first came in 1984 when they defeated the New York Islanders dynasty in five games, with Mark Messier winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. They repeated in 1985, sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers in the Finals with Wayne Gretzky earning Conn Smythe honors. The 1987 championship required seven games against Philadelphia, widely considered one of the greatest playoff series ever played. After Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles in August 1988, many predicted the dynasty's end, but the Oilers won again in 1988 (sweeping Boston) and 1990 (defeating Boston 4-1), proving their depth and resilience. These five championships in seven years represent one of sports' greatest dynasties, comparable to the Montreal Canadiens of the 1970s or the New York Yankees of the late 1990s. Since 1990, the Oilers have not won another Cup, though they reached the Finals in 2006 and have been competitive playoff contenders in recent seasons with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the roster.

Rogers Place is located at 10220 104 Avenue NW in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, serving as the centerpiece of the Ice District entertainment complex. The arena opened in September 2016, replacing the aging Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Coliseum). Rogers Place offers multiple parking options for game attendees. The attached parkade provides approximately 500 stalls with direct indoor access to the arena, though these fill quickly and cost around $25-30 per game. Additional parking is available in surrounding lots and parkades within a 3-5 block radius, with prices ranging from $15-25 depending on distance and event demand. Many fans use the Edmonton Transit System (ETS), as the arena is directly connected to MacEwan LRT station on the Metro Line and within walking distance of Churchill and Central stations. Street parking on meters becomes free after 6:00 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends, offering budget-conscious options for those willing to walk 5-10 minutes. The Ice District also features restaurants, bars, and retail establishments, making it worthwhile to arrive early and explore the area before games. Ride-sharing services like Uber have designated pickup zones on 104 Avenue near the main entrance.

Connor McDavid signed an eight-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2017 worth $100 million, carrying an average annual value of $12.5 million against the salary cap. This contract runs through the 2025-26 season, at which point McDavid will be 28 years old and eligible for unrestricted free agency. The deal made McDavid the highest-paid player in the NHL at the time of signing, though subsequent contracts for players like Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon have since exceeded this cap hit. McDavid's contract includes significant signing bonuses paid July 1st each year, providing financial security and making the deal difficult to trade due to bonus structure. The relatively team-friendly cap hit, considering McDavid's production and value, has allowed Edmonton to build a competitive roster around him, signing players like Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and key defensemen. As the contract approaches its final years, speculation about McDavid's future intensifies, with the hockey world watching whether Edmonton can win a Stanley Cup and convince their generational talent to sign another extension. The Oilers' championship window aligns with McDavid's current contract, creating urgency for the organization to maximize this opportunity.

Edmonton Oilers games are broadcast through multiple channels depending on your location and the type of game. In Canada, Sportsnet holds primary broadcast rights, with most Oilers games airing on Sportsnet West, Sportsnet One, or the national Sportsnet channel. Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts Saturday night games nationally on Sportsnet and CBC. Rogers-owned channels provide comprehensive coverage including pre-game and post-game shows. For streaming, Sportsnet NOW offers a subscription service allowing Canadian viewers to watch games on computers, tablets, and smartphones, with monthly and annual plans available. In the United States, ESPN holds national broadcast rights for select games, with TNT also broadcasting regular season and playoff games. NHL.TV (now ESPN+) provides out-of-market streaming for American viewers, though local blackout restrictions apply. For cord-cutters, services like fuboTV Canada and DAZN offer sports packages including Oilers broadcasts. Radio coverage is available on 630 CHED in Edmonton, with Jack Michaels providing play-by-play commentary. The official Oilers app provides audio streaming, live stats, and highlights. International viewers can access NHL.TV without blackout restrictions, making it the best option for fans outside North America.