1987–88 Edmonton Oilers season
The 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' ninth season in the NHL, and they were coming off a Stanley Cup championship against the Philadelphia Flyers the previous season, which was their third Stanley Cup in the past 4 seasons. This was the first time since 1980–81 that the Oilers did not win the division, break the 100 point barrier, or lead the NHL in goals.
Wayne Gretzky led the team with 149 points, his lowest point total since his rookie season in 1979–80, and the first time since then that he failed to lead the NHL in scoring. Jari Kurri and Craig Simpson, who the Oilers acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins during the season, led the team in goals with 43, and Mark Messier set a career high with 111 points. With Paul Coffey being traded during the season to the Penguins, Steve Smith stepped up and lead Oilers defense with 55 points and have a team record 286 penalty minutes.
In goal, Grant Fuhr appeared in 75 of the 80 Oilers games, winning a career high 40 games and getting 4 shutouts, while posting a 3.43 GAA and becoming the first Oilers goalie to win the Vezina Trophy.
In the playoffs, the Oilers started off by defeating the Winnipeg Jets in 5 games, and they face their Battle of Alberta rivals, the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division finals. The Flames ended the Oilers streak of 6 straight division titles by finishing 6 points ahead of Edmonton during the season and were favoured to win the series, however, the Oilers quickly swept Calgary to advance to the Campbell Conference finals, against the Detroit Red Wings. Edmonton had no problem getting past Detroit, winning the series in 5 games, and face the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers continued to dominate, sweeping Boston despite having to play 5 games to win their fourth Stanley Cup in 5 years. Grant Fuhr set an NHL record by winning 16 playoff games, while Wayne Gretzky took home the Conn Smythe Trophy after earning a league high 43 points.
Season standings
Schedule and results
Playoffs
Season stats
Scoring leaders
Goaltending
Playoff stats
Scoring leaders
Goaltending
Awards and Records
Awards
Records
- 1,050: A new NHL record for most assists in a career by Wayne Gretzky on Mar 1, 1988.
- 286: An Oilers record for most penalty minutes in a single season by Steve Smith.
- 51: A new NHL record for most career even strength goals in a playoffs by Jari Kurri on ???, 1988.
- 40: An Oilers record for most wins in a single season by Grant Fuhr.
- 31: A new NHL record for most assists in a playoffs by Wayne Gretzky on May 26, 1988.
Milestones
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Draft picks
Edmonton's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 1 | 21 | Peter Soberlak | Swift Current Broncos | |
| 2 | 42 | Brad Werenka | Northern Michigan Wildcats | |
| 3 | 63 | Geoff Smith | St. Albert Saints | |
| 4 | 64 | Peter Eriksson | HV71 | |
| 5 | 105 | Shaun Van Allen | Saskatoon Blades | |
| 6 | 126 | Radek Toupal | České Budějovice | |
| 7 | 147 | Tomas Srsen | TJ Zetor Brno | |
| 8 | 168 | Age Ellingsen | Storhamar Dragons | |
| 9 | 189 | Gavin Armstrong | RPI Engineers | |
| 10 | 210 | Mike Tinkham | Newburyport High School | |
| 11 | 231 | Jeff Pauletti | Minnesota Golden Gophers | |
| 12 | 241 | Jesper Duus | Rødovre Mighty Bulls | |
| 12 | 252 | Igor Vyazmikin | CSKA Moscow |