2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season

The 2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 24th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a 38–28–12–4 record in 2001–02, earning 92 points, however, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996, finishing in 9th place in the Western Conference.

2002–03 Edmonton Oilers
Division4th Northwest
Conference8th Western
2002–03 record36–26–11–9
Home record20–12–5–4
Road record16–14–6–5
Goals for231
Goals against230
Team information
General ManagerKevin Lowe
CoachCraig MacTavish
CaptainJason Smith
Alternate captainsTodd Marchant
Janne Niinimaa (Oct-Mar)
Ryan Smyth
ArenaSkyreach Centre
Average attendance16,657 (98.9%)
Minor league affiliate(s)Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsRyan Smyth (27)
AssistsTodd Marchant (40)
PointsRyan Smyth (61)
Penalty minutesScott Ferguson (120)
Plus/minusMarty Reasoner (+19)
WinsTommy Salo (29)
Goals against averageJussi Markkanen (2.59)

The Oilers got off to a slow start, winning only 1 of their first 7 games, going 1–4–2, however, the club turned around the tough start and move above the .500 mark on November 25 and never go below again for the remainder of the season. As the trade deadline approached in mid-March, and the club comfortably in a playoff position, Edmonton made a couple of deals, trading defenceman Janne Niinimaa and a second-round draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft to the New York Islanders in exchange for Brad Isbister and prospect Raffi Torres. The Oilers also traded Anson Carter and Aleš Píša to the New York Rangers for Radek Dvořák and Cory Cross. Edmonton finished the season with a 36–26–11–9 record, earning 92 points, the same amount as the previous season, and clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Offensively, Ryan Smyth led the club with 27 goals and 61 points, while Todd Marchant had a breakout season, earning 40 assists and 60 points. Anson Carter had 25 goals and 55 points in 68 games before being dealt to the New York Rangers. Mike York and Mike Comrie each broke the 20 goal plateau, with 22 and 20 goals respectively. Eric Brewer led the Oilers defense with eight goals and 29 points, while Scott Ferguson had a team high 120 penalty minutes.

In goal, Tommy Salo once again got a majority of the playing time, winning 29 games, while posting a 2.71 goals against average (GAA) and earning four shutouts. Backup Jussi Markkanen had a very solid season, winning seven games, had a team-high 2.59 GAA and posted three shutouts.

The Oilers finished first overall in the NHL in short-handed goals scored, with 13.[1]

After a year of absence, Edmonton returned to the post-season and would face their old rivals, the Dallas Stars, who finished with 111 points in the regular season. This was the sixth playoff meeting between the clubs in the past seven years, with Dallas winning four series in a row. Edmonton started the series on the right note, defeating the Stars 2–1 on the road. Dallas, however, routed the Oilers in Game 2 to even the series as it shifted to Edmonton The Oilers took a 2–1 series lead with a solid 3–2 victory in Game 3, but Dallas rebound in Game 4 to tie the series up at two games apiece. The Stars took control of the series, winning Game 5, 5–2, and end the series in Game 6, beating Edmonton 3–2, thereby eliminating the Oilers for the fifth time in the past six seasons.

Season standings

Northwest Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
13Colorado Avalanche824219138251194105
24Vancouver Canucks824523131264208104
36Minnesota Wild82422910119817895
48Edmonton Oilers82362611923123092
512Calgary Flames82293613418622875

[2]

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Schedule and results

2002–03 game log

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)   Overtime Loss (1 point)

Playoffs

2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Season stats

Scoring leaders

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Ryan Smyth6627346167
Todd Marchant7720406048
Anson Carter6825305520
Mike York7122295110
Mike Comrie6920315190

Goaltending

PlayerGPMinWLTGASOSave %GAA
Jussi Markkanen221180783513.9042.59
Tommy Salo653814292781724.8992.71

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Player GP G A Pts PIM
Shawn Horcoff63146
Georges Laraque61344
Eric Brewer61346
Ryan Smyth620216
Todd Marchant60226

Goaltending

PlayerGPMinWLGASOSave %GAA
Tommy Salo634324180.8883.15

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Regular season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Ales Hemsky1st NHL gameOctober 10, 2002
Alex Henry
Ales Hemsky1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
October 12, 2002
Kari Haakana1st NHL gameOctober 17, 2002
Steve Staios600th NHL PIMOctober 26, 2002
Jason Smith100th NHL pointOctober 28, 2002
Ales Pisa1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
November 3, 2002
Georges Laraque300th NHL gameNovember 5, 2002
Ethan Moreau2nd NHL Gordie Howe hat trickNovember 9, 2002
Janne Niinimaa500th NHL PIM
Mike Comrie100th NHL pointNovember 15, 2002
Ryan Smyth400th NHL PIMNovember 16, 2002
Janne Niinimaa500th NHL gameNovember 23, 2002
Steve Staios400th NHL game
Scott Ferguson100th NHL PIMNovember 27, 2002
Jason Smith600th NHL gameDecember 5, 2002
Anson Carter400th NHL gameDecember 7, 2002
Scott Ferguson100th NHL game
Jason Chimera1st NHL assistDecember 8, 2002
Mike Comrie100th NHL PIM
Alexei Semenov1st NHL gameDecember 30, 2002
Bobby Allen1st NHL gameDecember 31, 2002
Ales Hemsky1st NHL goalJanuary 4, 2003
Fernando Pisani1st NHL gameJanuary 8, 2003
Georges Laraque600th NHL PIMJanuary 13, 2003
Mike York100th NHL assist
Fernando Pisani1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
January 20, 2003
Alexei Semenov
Jani Rita1st NHL goal
1st NHL point
January 22, 2003
Jarret Stoll1st NHL game
1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
January 29, 2003
Fernando Pisani1st NHL goalFebruary 5, 2003
Alexei Semenov1st NHL goalFebruary 7, 2003
Eric Brewer300th NHL gameFebruary 8, 2003
Ethan Moreau600th NHL PIM
500th NHL game
February 13, 2003
Anson Carter300th NHL pointFebruary 18, 2003
Jani Rita1st NHL assist
Mike York300th NHL gameFebruary 20, 2003
Ales Pisa1st NHL goalFebruary 22, 2003
Marty Reasoner100th NHL PIM
Todd Marchant200th NHL assistFebruary 23, 2003
Marty Reasoner200th NHL gameFebruary 27, 2003
Marc-Andre Bergeron1st NHL gameMarch 11, 2003
Fernando Pisani1st NHL hat-trickMarch 22, 2003
Cory Cross100th NHL pointMarch 26, 2003
Scott Ferguson1st NHL Gordie Howe hat trick
Radek Dvorak600th NHL gameMarch 28, 2003
Marc-Andre Bergeron1st NHL goal
1st NHL point
March 31, 2003
Marc-Andre Bergeron1st NHL assistApril 5, 2003
Scott Ferguson100th NHL game
Jussi Markkanen1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
TBD
Playoffs
PlayerMilestoneReached
Ales Hemsky1st NHL gameApril 9, 2003
Fernando Pisani
Alexei Semenov
Mike York
Shawn Horcoff1st NHL goal
1st NHL point
Cory Cross50th NHL PIMApril 11, 2003
Ryan Smyth
Jussi Markkanen1st NHL game
Fernando Pisani1st NHL goal
1st NHL point
April 13, 2003
Tommy Salo1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
Mike York
Jason Chimera1st NHL game
1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
April 17, 2003
Shawn Horcoff1st NHL assist
Marc-Andre Bergeron1st NHL game
1st NHL assist
1st NHL point
April 19, 2003

Transactions

Trades

June 18, 2002 To Philadelphia Flyers
3rd round pick in 2003 - Ryan Potulny
To Edmonton Oilers
Jiri Dopita
June 22, 2002 To Buffalo Sabres
Jochen Hecht
To Edmonton Oilers
2nd round pick in 2002 - Jeff Deslauriers
2nd round pick in 2002 - Jarret Stoll
June 22, 2002 To Montreal Canadiens
1st round pick in 2002 - Chris Higgins
To Edmonton Oilers
1st round pick in 2002 - Jesse Niinimaki
8th round pick in 2002 - Tomas Micka
June 30, 2002 To New York Rangers
4th round pick in 2003 - Corey Potter
To Edmonton Oilers
Mike Richter
October 7, 2002 To Washington Capitals
Mike Grier
To Edmonton Oilers
*2nd round pick in 2003 - Evgeni Tunik
3rd round pick in 2003 - Zach Stortini
January 15, 2003 To New York Rangers
Josh Green
To Edmonton Oilers
Future considerations
March 11, 2003 To New York Islanders
Janne Niinimaa
2nd round pick in 2003 - Evgeny Tunik
To Edmonton Oilers
Brad Isbister
Raffi Torres
March 11, 2003 To New York Rangers
Anson Carter
Ales Pisa
To Edmonton Oilers
Radek Dvorak
Cory Cross

*Later traded to the New York Islanders

Free agents

PlayerNew team
G Mike RichterNew York Rangers
D Sven ButenschonFlorida Panthers
D Chris HajtWashington Capitals
F Domenic PittisNashville Predators
G Marc LamotheDetroit Red Wings
D Alain NasreddineNew York Islanders

Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
115Jesse Niinimaki FinlandIlves (SM-liiga)
231Jeff Deslauriers CanadaChicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
236Jarret Stoll CanadaKootenay Ice (WHL)
244Matt Greene United StatesGreen Bay Gamblers (USHL)
379Brock Radunske CanadaMichigan State University (NCAA)
4106Ivan Koltsov RussiaSeverstal Cherepovets (RSL)
4111Jonas Almtorp SwedenModo Hockey (Elitserien)
4123Robin Kovar Czech RepublicHC Vsetin (Czech Extraliga)
5148Glenn Fisher CanadaFort Saskatchewan Traders (AJHL)
6181Mikko Luoma FinlandTappara (SM-liiga)
7205Jean-Francois Dufort CanadaCape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
7211Patrick Murphy CanadaNewmarket Hurricanes (OPJHL)
8244Dwight Helminen United StatesUniversity of Michigan (NCAA)
8245Tomas Micka Czech RepublicSlavia Praha (Czech Extraliga)
9274Fredrik Johansson SwedenFrolunda HC (Elitserien)

Roster

2002-03 Edmonton Oilers
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centres

References

Notes
  1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2003.html
  2. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
  3. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  4. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  5. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  6. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  7. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  8. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  9. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  10. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  11. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  12. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  13. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  14. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  15. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  16. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  17. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  18. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  19. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  20. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  21. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  22. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  23. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  24. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  25. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  26. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  27. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  28. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  29. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  30. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  31. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  32. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  33. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  34. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  35. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  36. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  37. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  38. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  39. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  40. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  41. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  42. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  43. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  44. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  45. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  46. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  47. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  48. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  49. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  50. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  51. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  52. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  53. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  54. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  55. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  56. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  57. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  58. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  59. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  60. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  61. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  62. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  63. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  64. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  65. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  66. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  67. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  68. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  69. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  70. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  71. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  72. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  73. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  74. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  75. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  76. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  77. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  78. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2012-12-08. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  79. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  80. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  81. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  82. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  83. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  84. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  85. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  86. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  87. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  88. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  89. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  90. "Philadelphia Flyer Game Summary". Flyers History. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.