Crazy Story where Gretzky Was Set to Join the Red Wings Until His Dad Steered Him to LA
Wayne Gretzky's departure from the Edmonton Oilers was a shock to the entire world, but it almost happened that he joined another powerhouse team in Detroit.
Once upon a time, it appeared as though Wayne Gretzky would remain an Oiler for life and continue one of the NHL's all time greatest dynasties for years to come.
Ultimately though, we know that didn't happen, as Gretzky and the Oilers were set to part ways, as The Great One would end up in Los Angeles to put together a stellar second half of the career of who many believe is the greatest hockey player of all time.
The story was almost completely different however, as Gretzky himself wanted to follow in the footsteps of his idol Gordie Howe and be traded to the Detroit Red Wings, with Edmonton giving him the power to choose where he would end up.
The story was recently told again on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, as Wayne's father ultimately pushed him to Los Angeles where he would be a much bigger star, influencing hockey to find itself more in the mainstream than it ever had before.
In eight seasons with the Kings, Gretzky continued to dominate the game like he did in Edmonton, tallying 918 points in 536 games, and while he couldn't take them to a Stanley Cup, he continued to show everyone why he was the best player to ever play the game.
While Gretzky would also go on to play for New York and St. Louis throughout his illustrious career, it's his time in Edmonton and Los Angeles that is most fondly remembered, but if he had of joined the Red Wings of the 90's, the entire history of the NHL would have been changed forever.
