History repeats itself

The Edmonton Oilers haven’t had a player score 6 points in the first two games of a season since Wayne Gretzky. Connor McDavid appears as though he could be this generation’s, “Great One,” though it is doubtful he will ever match number ninety-nine’s career output due to the era in which he plays. Nevertheless the Edmonton Oilers have a special talent on their hands and one who can change the course of a game at a moment’s notice. Admittedly, I am not used to being this optimistic as a fan. It is a strange thing to look at the early season stats and see the Oilers undefeated after two games and an Oiler at the top of the scoring parade. In fact, though I could be wrong, the last time I witnessed such an occurrence was when I was in elementary school in the eighties. Granted it is early and the season is only two games old but it is hard not to remember back to the good times when, as Glen Anderson said on the Sportsnet broadcast Wednesday night, “we (the Oilers) were an all-star team.”

Then, as appears to be the case now, Calgary was developing a talented squad. Players like Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano, Hamilton, Tkachuk, and Bennett form a solid nucleus which could bring back the fire to the Battle of Alberta. Granted, these players still haven’t reached the status of guys like McDonald, MacInnis, Gilmour, Nieuwendyk, Vernon, etc. but given the level of talent it is possible. The Oilers again have a generational talent and a large player wearing number twenty-seven acting as his bodyguard. As fans of the Oilers we wait for offence from the blue-line and others to emerge in other key roles, but it is hard not to see (dream about?) the similarities. Given what is developing in both northern and southern Alberta it is not tough to imagine some epic battles being waged in the near future. As a fan I hope the two rivals will meet in the playoffs once again. The series that the teams played in the eighties were some of the most intense hockey games I have ever witnessed.

Out east there is a player who will forever be compared to McDavid. After Auston Matthews scored 4 goals in his first game comparisons to McDavid begun in earnest. Mario Lemieux played in the east and after about 1985 there were some who would debate whether or not it was he, rather than Wayne Gretzky, who was hockey’s best player. Again it is early but you can see how a similar debate may form if McDavid and Matthews continue to excel. If this is the case it is a very exciting time to be a fan.

Of course it is entirely possible that it is way too early for this type of conversation and that I’ve had way too much Kool-Aid over the past three days (my, it tastes good). It may be well advised to pump the brakes at this point (especially considering the weather). It is possible that neither the Oilers or Flames will make the playoffs this season or next. It is also entirely possible that the only battles the teams will have will be confined to the regular season. Matthews, or McDavid for that matter, may only turn out to be decent but not generational type players (though it certainly appears they are well on their way to the latter) and no debate will exist. These are all possible outcomes, though the fan in me doesn’t think so (or want it to be so). I’m ready for the (new) good times. Dare to dream…dare to dream.