From Evan Weiner at NHL.com,
The NHL was allegedly interested in moving one of its financially failing teams there in the mid 1970s, and Edmonton was very receptive to either getting a failed team or being part of an NHL-WHA merger.
Skalbania gave Oilers owner Peter Pocklington a chance to add a Canadian icon, Gretzky, which figured to bolster the Oilers’ chances of getting into the NHL. There were two catches. Skalbania offered Gretzky’s services to both Pocklington’s Oilers and to the Winnipeg ownership group and “the Gretzky sweepstakes” would involve a game of backgammon. [...]
Over the years, some people have said that Skalbania really did set down those parameters and others have said the “bet” was just a fable. But there is one man who said the trade really happened over a backgammon board.
I still can’t believe my Jets passed on Gretzky. Hawerchuk and Gretzky together? It may have been the Jets with the Dynasty and not the Oilers. Edmonton was the only team that stood between the Jets and greatness. Stupid Gretzky...lol
Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 08/08 at 01:06 PM