The 2006–07 Edmonton Oilers season began on October 5, 2006. It was the Oilers' 35th season, 28th in the NHL. After making it to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, the club had a disappointing season, finishing out of the playoffs.
Prior to the season the club experienced the stunning loss of star defenceman Chris Pronger. After helping the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2005–06 season, Pronger requested a trade for personal reasons. In early July, Pronger was sent to the Anaheim Ducks for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid and various draft picks.Edmonton deals Pronger to Anaheim, tsn.ca, July 3, 2006, accessed March 11, 2007.
Not only did Pronger leave, but another major acquisition from the previous season, Michael Peca, was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent. Despite the losses in personnel, the Oilers had a very strong start to the season, briefly propelling them to the top of the Northwest Division standings. The Oilers would slowly fall back of the pack however, finding themselves well out of a playoff spot by the trade deadline.
At the deadline, the Oilers again stunned the NHL by trading their leading scorer, and pending Unrestricted free agent, Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders for two prospects and a first-round draft pick.Oilers trade forward Smyth to Islanders , tsn.ca, February 28, 2007, accessed March 11, 2007 Reports later indicated that Smyth and the Oilers were only $100,000 apart in contract negotiations when the Oilers chose to make the trade.Ryan Smyth: $100,000 Difference Led to Deal to Isles, yahoo.com, March 2, 2007, accessed March 11, 2007.
On the same night as the Smyth trade, the Oilers retired former captain Mark Messier's number 11 sweater. The celebration of Messier also included having a street named after him in Edmonton. Oilers general manager, and Messier's former teammate, Kevin Lowe was noticeably absent from the retirement ceremony. Messier won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers during his time in Edmonton.Messier has No. 11 sweater retired by Oilers, ctv.ca, February 27, 2007, accessed March 11, 2007.
The Oilers set new marks in this season for both success and failure. Edmonton recorded its 1,000th regular season win in the NHL on January 2, 2007,Ciampa, Marc, Oilers beat Panthers to reach franchise's 1,000th victory, CBSSportsline.com, January 3, 2007, accessed June 2, 2007. while late in the season, the Oilers lost 12 consecutive games, a mark that surpassed Edmonton's previous record of 11. However, the NHL does not now consider an overtime loss a true loss, thus the feat did not officially break the franchise record for losses.Oilers snap 12-game winless streak, globesports.com, accessed March 28, 2007Jones, Terry, The losing streak ends at nine!, edmontonsun.com, March 19, 2007, accessed March 28, 2007.
The Oilers were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since the 2003–04 season for the third time in their last five seasons. With the Carolina Hurricanes also failing to qualify for the post-season, it marked the first time in NHL history that the previous season's finalists both failed to qualify for the playoffs.Staples, David, Cup finals one year, miss playoffs the next , Edmonton Journal, April 6, 2007
In May 2007, Daryl Katz offered $145 million towards the purchase of the team. Sources close to the Edmonton Journal state that, as part of the deal, the team will remain in Edmonton.Katz bids to buy Oilers No negotiations took place as the owners immediately responded that the Oilers were not for sale.SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NHL Hockey stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NHL Hockey columnists
Regular season Excluding shootout goals scored, the Oilers had the fewest goals scored of all 30 NHL teams, with just 192.
Season standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || October 5 || Calgary Flames || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 1–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || October 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || Calgary Flames || || Roloson || 19,289 || 1–1–0 || 2 ||
| 3 || October 12 || San Jose Sharks || 4 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 2–1–0 || 4 ||
| 4 || October 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 3 || Colorado Avalanche || || Roloson || 18,007 || 3–1–0 || 6 ||
| 5 || October 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || Vancouver Canucks || || Roloson || 18,630 || 3–2–0 || 6 ||
| 6 || October 17 || Vancouver Canucks || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 4–2–0 || 8 ||
| 7 || October 21 || Detroit Red Wings || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 5–2–0 || 10 ||
| 8 || October 23 || Phoenix Coyotes || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 6–2–0 || 12 ||
| 9 || October 25 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 6 || Anaheim Ducks || || Roloson || 13,537 || 6–3–0 || 12 ||
| 10 || October 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 6 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Markkanen || 13,021 || 6–4–0 || 12 ||
| 11 || October 28 || Washington Capitals || 0 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 7–4–0 || 14 ||
| 12 || November 1 || Nashville Predators || 5 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 7–5–0 || 14 ||
| 13 || November 3 || Dallas Stars || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 7–6–0 || 14 ||
| 14 || November 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Montreal Canadiens || SO || Roloson || 21,273 || 7–6–1 || 15 ||
| 15 || November 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 3 || Detroit Red Wings || || Roloson || 20,066 || 7–7–1 || 15 ||
| 16 || November 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || || Roloson || 16,902 || 8–7–1 || 17 ||
| 17 || November 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || St. Louis Blues || || Markkanen || 9,214 || 8–8–1 || 17 ||
| 18 || November 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 1 || Colorado Avalanche || || Roloson || 17,725 || 9–8–1 || 19 ||
| 19 || November 16 || St. Louis Blues || 2 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 10–8–1 || 21 ||
| 20 || November 18 || Detroit Red Wings || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || SO || Roloson || 16,839 || 11–8–1 || 23 ||
| 21 || November 21 || Calgary Flames || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 12–8–1 || 25 ||
| 22 || November 24 || Chicago Blackhawks || 1 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 13–8–1 || 27 ||
| 23 || November 28 || Anaheim Ducks || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Roloson || 16,839 || 13–8–2 || 28 ||
| 24 || November 30 || Colorado Avalanche || 7 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 13–9–2 || 28 ||
| 25 || December 2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 13–10–2 || 28 ||
| 26 || December 4 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Vancouver Canucks || || Roloson || 18,630 || 14–10–2 || 30 ||
| 27 || December 6 || Carolina Hurricanes || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 15–10–2 || 32 ||
| 28 || December 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 0 || Dallas Stars || || Roloson || 17,182 || 16–10–2 || 34 ||
| 29 || December 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Roloson || 11,523 || 16–11–2 || 34 ||
| 30 || December 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Nashville Predators || || Roloson || 12,032 || 16–12–2 || 34 ||
| 31 || December 14 || Minnesota Wild || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 17–12–2 || 36 ||
| 32 || December 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Colorado Avalanche || || Roloson || 17,589 || 17–13–2 || 36 ||
| 33 || December 19 || Colorado Avalanche || 7 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 17–14–2 || 36 ||
| 34 || December 21 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Markkanen || 12,704 || 18–14–2 || 38 ||
| 35 || December 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Dallas Stars || || Roloson || 18,136 || 18–15–2 || 38 ||
| 36 || December 28 || Los Angeles Kings || 7 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 18–16–2 || 38 ||
| 37 || December 30 || Vancouver Canucks || 6 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 18–17–2 || 38 ||
| 38 || December 31 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Calgary Flames || || Roloson || 19,289 || 18–18–2 || 38 ||
| 39 || January 2 || Florida Panthers || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 19–18–2 || 40 ||
| 40 || January 4 || Dallas Stars || 6 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || SO || Roloson || 16,839 || 19–18–3 || 41 ||
| 41 || January 5 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Vancouver Canucks || OT || Roloson || 18,630 || 19–18–4 || 42 ||
| 42 || January 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 1 || Los Angeles Kings || OT || Roloson || 16,224 || 20–18–4 || 44 ||
| 43 || January 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || San Jose Sharks || || Roloson || 17,496 || 21–18–4 || 46 ||
| 44 || January 12 || Minnesota Wild || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 21–19–4 || 46 ||
| 45 || January 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 3 || Calgary Flames || || Roloson || 19,289 || 21–20–4 || 46 ||
| 46 || January 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 1 || Minnesota Wild || || Roloson || 18,568 || 22–20–4 || 48 ||
| 47 || January 18 || Anaheim Ducks || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 23–20–4 || 50 ||
| 48 || January 20 || Calgary Flames || 4 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 23–21–4 || 50 ||
| 49 || January 26 || San Jose Sharks || 5 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 23–22–4 || 50 ||
| 50 || January 27 || Los Angeles Kings || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 24–22–4 || 52 ||
| 51 || January 31 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 25–22–4 || 54 ||
| 52 || February 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || Vancouver Canucks || || Roloson || 18,630 || 25–23–4 || 54 ||
| 53 || February 3 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 2 || Colorado Avalanche || || Roloson || 17,645 || 26–23–4 || 56 ||
| 54 || February 6 || Vancouver Canucks || 5 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 26–24–4 || 56 ||
| 55 || February 9 || Chicago Blackhawks || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 27–24–4 || 58 ||
| 56 || February 11 || Atlanta Thrashers || 1 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 28–24–4 || 60 ||
| 57 || February 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 3 || Boston Bruins || || Roloson || 16,449 || 28–25–4 || 60 ||
| 58 || February 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || Buffalo Sabres || OT || Roloson || 18,690 || 28–25–5 || 61 ||
| 59 || February 17 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Roloson || 19,599 || 28–26–5 || 61 ||
| 60 || February 20 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Ottawa Senators || SO || Markkanen || 19,716 || 28–26–6 || 62 ||
| 61 || February 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Columbus Blue Jackets || || Roloson || 15,541 || 29–26–6 || 64 ||
| 62 || February 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 3 || Detroit Red Wings || SO || Roloson || 20,066 || 30–26–6 || 66 ||
| 63 || February 25 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Minnesota Wild || || Roloson || 18,568 || 30–27–6 || 66 ||
| 64 || February 27 || Phoenix Coyotes || 3 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 30–28–6 || 66 ||
| 65 || March 1 || Minnesota Wild || 5 – 0 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 30–29–6 || 66 ||
| 66 || March 3 || Calgary Flames || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 30–30–6 || 66 ||
| 67 || March 7 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Markkanen || 16,839 || 30–31–6 || 66 ||
| 68 || March 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Anaheim Ducks || || Roloson || 17,174 || 30–32–6 || 66 ||
| 69 || March 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 3 || San Jose Sharks || || Roloson || 17,496 || 30–33–6 || 66 ||
| 70 || March 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Los Angeles Kings || || Markkanen || 16,954 || 30–34–6 || 66 ||
| 71 || March 15 || Minnesota Wild || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Roloson || 16,839 || 30–35–6 || 66 ||
| 72 || March 17 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Roloson || 16,839 || 30–35–7 || 67 ||