There has been a lot of talk around the Edmonton Oilers recently. Discussions focused on what they need to do to become a legitimate contender again. That leads to questions and solutions. Rarely does it include thinking back to what they had when they were big contenders.
This is a list of four retired NHL players who made massive impacts on the game in their era, but could also fit into today’s team while in their prime.
The answer to the Oilers’ biggest questions isn’t always found on the trade market—it’s in their history. From leadership to composed playoff goaltending and elite defence, the Oilers have been shaped by players who understood what it meant to wear the logo when expectations were at their highest. The following players each brought a different element of stability, toughness, and identity to the team. If the current Oilers are searching for those same qualities, their blueprints already exist in these retired icons of the past.
Oscar Klefbom, 2013 to 2020
Oscar Klefbom represented the modern evolution of the Oilers’ blue line. He was known for his smooth skating and smart positioning. He also had the ability to log heavy minutes against the competition.
Drafted and developed by Edmonton, Klefbom grew into a true top defender, capable of handling play at both ends of the ice. His prime years were cut short by chronic shoulder injuries, leaving fans wondering just how high his ceiling could have been. Even then, his impact during the Oilers’ return to relevance in the late 2010s remains a reminder of how valuable a steady, two-way defenceman can be to a contending core.
Klefbom would help today’s Oilers in many ways. He would provide a reliable, two-way defenceman. Klefbom can handle tough matchups. He is capable of playing big minutes every night and he remains calm under pressure. He is excellent at moving the puck. He would fit perfectly with a speed-based team led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Paired with someone like Evan Bouchard, Klefbom could focus on defending while Bouchard drives the offence. That balance would instantly stabilize the Oilers’ top pair and make them harder to play against.
One key aspect to consider is the impact on Darnell Nurse’s career arc. If Oscar Klefbom had remained in the NHL at his established level, Nurse’s career would likely look very different. With Klefbom absorbing top-pair minutes and the tough matchups, Nurse could have developed more gradually into a dominant two-way defender. This development would have been smoother rather than being thrown into a #1 role overnight. That partnership would have balanced the workload. His numbers and public perception may have been steadier, framed more by consistency than by the pressure of expectations.
Jason Smith, 1999 to 2007
Jason Smith was the heart and soul of the Oilers during one of the franchise’s most resilient eras. As captain through the mid-2000s, Smith showed his leadership through sacrifice, playing a shutdown role while helping set the tone every night. His willingness to block shots, battle in the corners, and stand up for teammates made him the backbone of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoff run, a historic run for the Oilers.
Smith would give the Oilers a much-needed sense of toughness and accountability on the blue line. He specialized in shutting down top players, blocking shots, and protecting the front of the net.
Paired with someone like Mattias Ekholm, Smith would form a heavy, defensive-minded duo built for playoff hockey against top competition. That pairing would make Edmonton harder to play against and more reliable when protecting leads, or even trying to chase one.
Dwayne Roloson, 2006 to 2009
Dwayne Roloson arrived in Edmonton as a lateseason gamble and quickly became a fan favourite in one of the most incredible playoff runs in team history. While a bit late in his career, Roloson delivered elite goaltending throughout the 2006 playoffs, stealing games with poise and the ability to track the puck. Roloson’s time in Edmonton proved how vital veteran poise can be when everything is on the line, especially when it comes to the goaltending.
Roloson would give the Oilers the kind of elite, confident goaltending every true playoff contender needs. At his best, he stole games and kept the team calm when momentum swung the other way. That level of netminding would take pressure off the defence and allow the Oilers’ to play more aggressively instead of worrying about making little mistakes that could cost them. In the bigger picture, Roloson’s presence would turn Edmonton from a dangerous team into a true Stanley Cup contender from back to front.
Ales Hemsky, 2002 to 2014
Ales Hemsky was one of the most naturally gifted offensive players of his era in Edmonton, bringing creativity and flair to teams that lacked scoring depth. His elite puck-handling and vision made him a constant threat on the rush. Hemsky regularly handled the offensive load during rebuilding years, giving fans a reason to believe on nights when goals were hard to come by. He formed strong chemistry with multiple linemates and was known for his ability to create something out of nothing. Even without major team success, his impact and highlight-reel goals left a lasting mark on the team’s history.
In today’s lineup, Hemsky would be a perfect fit as a top-six winger who could complement star centres with his playmaking ability. His speed and creativity would bode well alongside players like McDavid or Draisaitl, giving them another dangerous option in transition. He would also strengthen the power play by adding another puck distributor who could draw defenders out of position, and create high-danger scoring opportunities.
History worth repeating
Looking back at key players like Jason Smith, Dwayne Roloson, and Oscar Klefbom reveals a common theme. Each filled a role the Oilers still search for today: leadership, stability, and the ability to hold a game down when called upon. They weren’t just talented players, they were solutions to problems every contender eventually faces. These include defending a lead, surviving playoff pressure, or setting the emotional tone of a game.
The idea isn’t about wishing for the past; it’s about recognizing what made those teams work. It also considers how those qualities would change today’s roster. History shows that championship teams are built on balance, not just star power. These former Oilers represent the elements that helped Edmonton come closest to the ultimate goal.
If the answers once came from within the organization, a question arises. What would the Oilers need to do to find key players like these? These players could help bring them back. And who else from the past could make a difference in today’s game?
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