2002–03_Edmonton_Oilers_season

2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season

2002–03 Edmonton Oilers season

NHL team 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.

Quick Facts Edmonton Oilers, Division ...

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

More information No., CR ...

[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.

More information R, Div ...

Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest

Z – Clinched Conference; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...

Playoffs

More information 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only.
More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

Goaltending

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

Awards and records

Awards

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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

The Oilers were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals.[9]

Trades

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Players acquired

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Players lost

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Signings

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Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.[48] The Oilers selection of Robin Kovar at 123rd overall in the fourth round was ruled invalid since Kovar wasn’t eligible for the draft.[49]

More information Round, # ...

Notes

  1. Bergeron wore number 20 in his first game.
  2. Hemsky did not play and was replaced by Horcoff.
  3. Condition not met. The Flyers would have received the Oilers' 2004 fifth-round pick if Dopita re-signed with Edmonton for the 2003–04 season.[10]
  4. Compensation due to Montreal hiring Julien as their head coach.
  5. The pick would have improved to a 4th-rounder if Montreal had made the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs.
  6. In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[21]
  7. Edmonton retained Sarno’s NHL rights and re-signed him on September 2, 2003.[30]
  8. Dopita signed with HC Olomouc on February 3, 2003.[33]

References

  • "Edmonton Oilers 2002-03 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  • "2002-03 Edmonton Oilers Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  • National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
  1. [1]
    "2002-03 NHL Summary".
  2. [2]
    Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
  3. [3]
    "2002-03 Edmonton Oilers Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  4. [4]
    "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 2003". NHL.com. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Oilers' Salo earns NHL weekly honor". TSN.ca. March 10, 2003. Archived from the original on April 26, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Hemsky named Rookie of the Month". TSN.ca. April 1, 2003. Archived from the original on April 2, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  7. [7]
    "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters". ESPN.com. January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  8. [8]
    2014–15 Edmonton Oilers Media Guide, p.173
  9. [9]
    "Hockey Transactions Search Results". www.prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  10. [10]
    Panaccio, Tim (June 19, 2002). "Flyers send Dopita to Edmonton for third-round pick". Philly.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2022. a conditional pick in 2004, based on whether Dopita re-signs with Edmonton.
  11. [11]
    "Oilers acquire Dopita from Flyers". Edmonton Oilers. June 18, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  12. [12]
    "Draft Day Transactions". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on August 8, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  13. [13]
    "Oilers send Hecht to Buffalo". TSN.ca. June 22, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  14. [14]
    "Rangers Trade Richter's Rights to Edmonton". New York Rangers. June 30, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  15. [15]
    "OILERS SEND GRIER TO WASHINGTON". Edmonton Oilers. October 7, 2002. Archived from the original on December 27, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  16. [16]
    "GREEN DEALT TO NY RANGERS". Edmonton Oilers. December 12, 2002. Archived from the original on December 27, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  17. [17]
    "GEOFF WARD NAMED INTERIM HAMILTON BENCH BOSS". Edmonton Oilers. January 17, 2003. Archived from the original on June 22, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  18. [18]
    "ISLANDERS ACQUIRE JANNE NIINIMAA AND 2ND ROUND PICK FOR ISBISTER, TORRES". New York Islanders. March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on April 13, 2003. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  19. [19]
    "OILERS OBTAIN RADEK DVORAK AND CORY CROSS FROM NEW YORK RANGERS". Edmonton Oilers. March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on June 22, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  20. [20]
    "OILERS INK TWO PROSPECTS". Hamilton Bulldogs. August 19, 2002. Archived from the original on December 30, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  21. [21]
    "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST". Daily Herald. July 2, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  22. [22]
    Brooks, Larry (July 5, 2002). "RICHTER SIGNS WITH RANGERS". New York Post. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  23. [23]
    "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 9+". UPI. July 9, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022. Florida Panthers… signed free agent defenseman Sven Butenschon, who had been with the Edmonton Oilers.
  24. [24]
    "ALEXANDRE FOMITCHEV". NHL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022. Signed as a free agent by Khabarovsk (Russia), July 23, 2002.
  25. [25]
    "Capitals re-sign Ciernik, Whitfield". UPI. July 23, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  26. [26]
    "GREG LEEB". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on January 5, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022. 24-Jul-02: Signed with the Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (Germany).
  27. [27]
    "Predators sign two free agents". UPI. July 24, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  28. [28]
    "Wolf Pack Add Grit, Toughness". OurSports Central. August 22, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  29. [29]
    Alain Nasreddine at Hockey-Reference.com, retrieved November 26, 2022
  30. [30]
    "Oilers sign Sarno, Wright". TSN.ca. September 2, 2003. Archived from the original on December 23, 2003. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  31. [31]
    "Peter Sarno Bluesiin". Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). October 11, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  32. [32]
    "ALEX HENRY CLAIMED BY WASHINGTON". Edmonton Oilers. October 24, 2002. Archived from the original on November 19, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  33. [33]
    "JIRI DOPITA". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022. 03-Feb-03: Signed with the HC Olomouc (Czech).
  34. [34]
    "DOPITA TO LEAVE OILERS". Edmonton Oilers. December 28, 2002. Archived from the original on February 13, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  35. [35]
    "Oilers sign three prospects". TSN.ca. July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  36. [36]
    "Oilers sign Marchant for a year". TSN.ca. July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 17, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  37. [37]
    "SCOTT FERGUSON". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on November 28, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022. 27-Jul-02: Re-signed by the Edmonton Oilers to a two-year contract.
  38. [38]
    "ACTIVITY". The Globe and Mail. July 31, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022. Edmonton Oilers re-signed forward Mike Grier and defenceman Alex Henry to one-year contracts.
  39. [39]
    "ALBERTANS INK DEALS WITH OILERS". Edmonton Oilers. August 2, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  40. [40]
    "CARTER SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL". Edmonton Oilers. August 5, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  41. [41]
    "Oilers' Smith awarded $2.3 million". TSN.ca. August 12, 2002. Archived from the original on August 25, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  42. [42]
    "STOLL ON BOARD". Edmonton Oilers. September 3, 2002. Archived from the original on November 19, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  43. [43]
    "PISANI SIGNS WITH OILERS". Hamilton Bulldogs. September 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 28, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  44. [44]
    "MIKE YORK SIGNS THREE YEAR CONTRACT". Edmonton Oilers. September 9, 2002. Archived from the original on November 19, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  45. [45]
    "BREW JOINS THE CREW". Edmonton Oilers. September 12, 2002. Archived from the original on December 27, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  46. [46]
    "OILERS SIGN ALES HEMSKY". Edmonton Oilers. September 25, 2002. Archived from the original on November 19, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  47. [47]
    "OILERS SIGN TWO PROSPECTS". Edmonton Oilers. May 28, 2003. Archived from the original on June 23, 2003. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  48. [48]
    "2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  49. [49]
    "Glitch costs Oilers draft pick". TSN.ca. June 23, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
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