Pop quiz: Which Edmonton Oiler scored the most goals as a rookie?

Well, considering you clicked on a Jason Arnott article, your guess would be correct. Arnott’s terrific 1993-94 season with 33 goals remains unmatched in the organization’s history, an impressive feat considering the plethora of franchise talent over the decades.

He seemed destined for super-stardom.

That season would be his own career high until the rule changes of the 2005-06 lockout, as Arnott carved out a long and productive career. In the wheeling and dealing era of 1990s Edmonton Oilers hockey, Arnott justified his top draft status early and looked like he could be on the team for a long time.

But there were issues. As good a player as Arnott was on the ice, he was inconsistent, even embroiled in a paternity suit that caught headlines. He enjoyed the good times and there was some bad publicity.

Maybe he would’ve been better amongst the 1980s group that also had their off-ice issues. Maybe these were lessons he’d just have to learn along the way. Maybe it was just doomed not to work here.

Notable

In a talent-laden 1993 NHL Draft, the Oilers’ snatching Arnott at seventh overall was a good bit of business by Glen Sather.

That’s especially true considering how the Oilers hadn’t drafted a contributing player in the first round in a decade, dating back to 1983 and Jeff Beukeboom. That’s ten picks – many of which never sniffed the NHL.

Out of........

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