Flashback Friday: Looking at when the Oilers acquired Roman Hamrlík from the Lightning |
Since the Tampa Bay Lightning broke into the league in 1992-93, the Edmonton Oilers have made nine trades.
Only two of those traded have come in the 21st century. The most recent one was before the 2024 trade deadline, as the Lightning retained 25 per cent of Adam Henrique’s contract. If you’re curious, the other one was after the 2013-14 season, as the Oilers sent Sam Gagner to the Lightning for Teddy Purcell.
Seven of their nine trades have come in the 1990s, and the most notable of the bunch came on Dec. 30, 1997. In this edition of Flashback Friday, we’ll take a look at the trade that brought Roman Hamrlík to the Oilers.
The Roman Hamrlík trade
The left-shot defenceman from Zlín, Czechia, had loads of potential. Hamrlík was drafted first overall in 1992, the only draft from 1976 until 2000 that didn’t produce a Hall of Famer. Still, he was productive when he came stateside, scoring six goals and 21 points in 67 games during his rookie campaign in 1992-93.
Hamrlík scored three goals and 21 points in 64 games during the 1993-94 season, then 12 goals and 23 points in just 48 games during the lockout-impacted 1994-95 season. He truly broke out in 1995-96, scoring 16 goals and 65 points in 82 games, with his point total being a career-best. In his final full season with the Lightning, he scored 12 goals and 40 points in 79........