# 1988–89 Edmonton Oilers season

The 1988–89 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' tenth season in the NHL, and they were coming off a Stanley Cup championship after defeating the Boston Bruins the previous season, which was their fourth Stanley Cup in the past 5 seasons. The Oilers finished third in the Smythe Division with 84 points, their lowest point total since the 1980–81 season. For the eighth consecutive season, the Oilers had five 30-goal scorers.
Prior to the season, the Oilers was involved in one of the biggest trades in NHL history, dealing Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, the Kings' first round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993, and $15 million.
Jari Kurri led the club with 102 points, while Jimmy Carson scored a team high 49 goals, and Mark Messier had a team best 61 assists. Charlie Huddy led the defense with 44 points, while Kelly Buchberger provided the team toughness, leading the Oilers with 234 penalty minutes.
In goal, Grant Fuhr got the majority of the starts, leading the team with 23 wins, while Bill Ranford had a team best 3.50 GAA.
The Oilers finished the regular season first in short-handed goals scored, with 27.
In the playoffs, the Oilers faced Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the playoffs. The heavily favored Oilers took a 3–1 series lead, however, the Kings responded by winning 3 games in a row by a combined score of 16–6 to win the series, ending the Oilers bid at winning a third straight Stanley Cup. It marked the first time since 1982 that Edmonton had lost in the first round of the playoffs, ironically it was the Kings who eliminated them in the opening round that year.

## Season standings

Smythe Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Calgary Flames | 80 | 54 | 17 | 9 | 354 | 226 | 117 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 80 | 42 | 31 | 7 | 376 | 335 | 91 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 80 | 38 | 34 | 8 | 325 | 306 | 84 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 80 | 33 | 39 | 8 | 251 | 253 | 74 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 80 | 26 | 42 | 12 | 300 | 355 | 64 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

### Record vs. opponents
#### Vs. Campbell Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CGY | EDM | LAK | VAN | WIN | Total |
| Calgary | — | 5–2–1 | 6–2 | 5–1–2 | 5–2–1 | 21–8–4 |
| Edmonton | 2–5–1 | — | 4–4 | 3–5 | 4–3–1 | 13–17–2 |
| Los Angeles | 2–6 | 4–4 | — | 4–4 | 2–2–4 | 12–16–4 |
| Vancouver | 1–5–2 | 5–3 | 4–4 | — | 3–4–1 | 13–16–3 |
| Winnipeg | 2–5–1 | 3–4–1 | 2–2–4 | 4–3–1 | — | 11–14–7 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CHI | DET | MIN | STL | TOR | Total |
| Calgary | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–0–1 | 3–0 | 0–1–2 | 11–1–3 |
| Edmonton | 0–2–1 | 1–2 | 1–0–2 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 8–4–3 |
| Los Angeles | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 12–3–0 |
| Vancouver | 2–1 | 0–0–3 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 7–5–3 |
| Winnipeg | 0–3 | 0–2–1 | 1–2 | 1–1–1 | 3–0 | 5–8–2 |
Vs. Wales Conference
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | BOS | BUF | HFD | MTL | QUE | Total |
| Calgary | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 8–7–0 |
| Edmonton | 0–3 | 2–0–1 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 8–6–1 |
| Los Angeles | 1–2 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 3–0 | 9–6–0 |
| Vancouver | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 6–8–1 |
| Winnipeg | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 5–10–0 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | NJD | NYI | NYR | PHI | PIT | WSH | Total |
| Calgary | 3–0 | 2–0–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 2–0–1 | 14–2–2 |
| Edmonton | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–0–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 9–7–2 |
| Los Angeles | 1–0–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 9–6–3 |
| Vancouver | 1–1–1 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 7–10–1 |
| Winnipeg | 1–0–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 5–10–3 |

## Schedule and results

| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record | Pts |
| 1 | October 7 | New York Islanders | 1–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 1–0–0 | 2 |
| 2 | October 9 | Winnipeg Jets | 4–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–0–0 | 4 |
| 3 | October 12 | Vancouver Canucks | 6–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–1–0 | 4 |
| 4 | October 14 | Edmonton Oilers | 1–6 | Calgary Flames | 2–2–0 | 4 |
| 5 | October 16 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–3 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–2–1 | 5 |
| 6 | October 17 | Minnesota North Stars | 3–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–2–2 | 6 |
| 7 | October 19 | Los Angeles Kings | 6–8 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–2–2 | 8 |
| 8 | October 23 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–6 | Vancouver Canucks | 3–3–2 | 8 |
| 9 | October 25 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–4 | Los Angeles Kings | 4–3–2 | 10 |
| 10 | October 29 | Washington Capitals | 3–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–3–2 | 12 |
| 11 | October 30 | Chicago Blackhawks | 5–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–4–2 | 12 |
| 12 | November 2 | St. Louis Blues | 4–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 6–4–2 | 14 |
| 13 | November 4 | Buffalo Sabres | 3–7 | Edmonton Oilers | 7–4–2 | 16 |
| 14 | November 6 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–5 | Detroit Red Wings | 7–5–2 | 16 |
| 15 | November 8 | Edmonton Oilers | 7–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8–5–2 | 18 |
| 16 | November 9 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–2 | New Jersey Devils | 9–5–2 | 20 |
| 17 | November 12 | Edmonton Oilers | 6–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 10–5–2 | 22 |
| 18 | November 13 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–4 | Buffalo Sabres | 11–5–2 | 24 |
| 19 | November 16 | Winnipeg Jets | 2–1 | Edmonton Oilers | 11–6–2 | 24 |
| 20 | November 19 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1–9 | Edmonton Oilers | 12–6–2 | 26 |
| 21 | November 20 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–7 | Winnipeg Jets | 12–7–2 | 26 |
| 22 | November 23 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–3 | Minnesota North Stars | 12–7–3 | 27 |
| 23 | November 24 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–2 | St. Louis Blues | 13–7–3 | 29 |
| 24 | November 26 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–7 | Montreal Canadiens | 13–8–3 | 29 |
| 25 | November 28 | Edmonton Oilers | 7–4 | Quebec Nordiques | 14–8–3 | 31 |
| 26 | November 30 | Vancouver Canucks | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 15–8–3 | 33 |
| 27 | December 2 | Calgary Flames | 7–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 15–9–3 | 33 |
| 28 | December 4 | New York Rangers | 6–10 | Edmonton Oilers | 16–9–3 | 35 |
| 29 | December 7 | Quebec Nordiques | 3–8 | Edmonton Oilers | 17–9–3 | 37 |
| 30 | December 8 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–5 | Calgary Flames | 17–10–3 | 37 |
| 31 | December 10 | Winnipeg Jets | 7–6 | Edmonton Oilers | 17–11–3 | 37 |
| 32 | December 14 | Edmonton Oilers | 8–2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 18–11–3 | 39 |
| 33 | December 15 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–4 | Boston Bruins | 18–12–3 | 39 |
| 34 | December 17 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–2 | Hartford Whalers | 19–12–3 | 41 |
| 35 | December 19 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–5 | Buffalo Sabres | 19–12–4 | 42 |
| 36 | December 21 | Vancouver Canucks | 2–1 | Edmonton Oilers | 19–13–4 | 42 |
| 37 | December 23 | Calgary Flames | 1–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 20–13–4 | 44 |
| 38 | December 31 | Montreal Canadiens | 4–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 20–14–4 | 44 |
| 39 | January 2 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–2 | Minnesota North Stars | 21–14–4 | 46 |
| 40 | January 4 | Quebec Nordiques | 2–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 22–14–4 | 48 |
| 41 | January 7 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–7 | Calgary Flames | 22–15–4 | 48 |
| 42 | January 8 | Calgary Flames | 0–6 | Edmonton Oilers | 23–15–4 | 50 |
| 43 | January 10 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–5 | Los Angeles Kings | 23–16–4 | 50 |
| 44 | January 13 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–5 | Washington Capitals | 23–17–4 | 50 |
| 45 | January 15 | Edmonton Oilers | 0–1 | New Jersey Devils | 23–18–4 | 50 |
| 46 | January 16 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–2 | Chicago Blackhawks | 23–18–5 | 51 |
| 47 | January 18 | Edmonton Oilers | 9–4 | Winnipeg Jets | 24–18–5 | 53 |
| 48 | January 20 | Philadelphia Flyers | 1–1 | Edmonton Oilers | 24–18–6 | 54 |
| 49 | January 21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 24–19–6 | 54 |
| 50 | January 23 | New York Rangers | 3–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 24–20–6 | 54 |
| 51 | January 25 | Chicago Blackhawks | 6–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 24–21–6 | 54 |
| 52 | January 28 | Edmonton Oilers | 7–6 | Los Angeles Kings | 25–21–6 | 56 |
| 53 | January 31 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–6 | Vancouver Canucks | 25–22–6 | 56 |
| 54 | February 1 | Vancouver Canucks | 3–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 26–22–6 | 58 |
| 55 | February 3 | Detroit Red Wings | 5–8 | Edmonton Oilers | 27–22–6 | 60 |
| 56 | February 5 | New Jersey Devils | 4–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 27–23–6 | 60 |
| 57 | February 9 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 28–23–6 | 62 |
| 58 | February 11 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–5 | Boston Bruins | 28–24–6 | 62 |
| 59 | February 12 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–1 | New York Rangers | 29–24–6 | 64 |
| 60 | February 14 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–5 | New York Islanders | 29–25–6 | 64 |
| 61 | February 17 | Washington Capitals | 8–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 29–26–6 | 64 |
| 62 | February 19 | Boston Bruins | 4–2 | Edmonton Oilers | 29–27–6 | 64 |
| 63 | February 21 | Hartford Whalers | 4–7 | Edmonton Oilers | 30–27–6 | 66 |
| 64 | February 24 | Los Angeles Kings | 1–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 31–27–6 | 68 |
| 65 | February 25 | St. Louis Blues | 3–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 32–27–6 | 70 |
| 66 | March 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 0–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 33–27–6 | 72 |
| 67 | March 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 7–4 | Winnipeg Jets | 34–27–6 | 74 |
| 68 | March 5 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–2 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 35–27–6 | 76 |
| 69 | March 7 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–4 | Philadelphia Flyers | 35–27–7 | 77 |
| 70 | March 8 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–7 | Hartford Whalers | 35–28–7 | 77 |
| 71 | March 11 | Calgary Flames | 5–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 35–28–8 | 78 |
| 72 | March 12 | Los Angeles Kings | 6–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 35–29–8 | 78 |
| 73 | March 15 | Detroit Red Wings | 8–6 | Edmonton Oilers | 35–30–8 | 78 |
| 74 | March 16 | Edmonton Oilers | 0–3 | Vancouver Canucks | 35–31–8 | 78 |
| 75 | March 19 | New York Islanders | 2–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 36–31–8 | 80 |
| 76 | March 21 | Los Angeles Kings | 4–3 | Edmonton Oilers | 36–32–8 | 80 |
| 77 | March 23 | Winnipeg Jets | 4–5 | Edmonton Oilers | 37–32–8 | 82 |
| 78 | March 25 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–4 | Los Angeles Kings | 37–33–8 | 82 |
| 79 | March 29 | Edmonton Oilers | 5–2 | Vancouver Canucks | 38–33–8 | 84 |
| 80 | April 2 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–4 | Calgary Flames | 38–34–8 | 84 |

## Playoffs
### Los Angeles Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 3

| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Record |
| 1 | April 5 | Edmonton Oilers | 4–3 | Los Angeles Kings | 1–0 |
| 2 | April 6 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–5 | Los Angeles Kings | 1–1 |
| 3 | April 8 | Los Angeles Kings | 0–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–1 |
| 4 | April 9 | Los Angeles Kings | 3–4 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–1 |
| 5 | April 11 | Edmonton Oilers | 2–4 | Los Angeles Kings | 3–2 |
| 6 | April 13 | Los Angeles Kings | 4–1 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–3 |
| 7 | April 15 | Edmonton Oilers | 3–6 | Los Angeles Kings | 3–4 |

## Season stats
### Scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Jari Kurri | 76 | 44 | 58 | 102 | 69 |
| Jimmy Carson | 80 | 49 | 51 | 100 | 36 |
| Mark Messier | 72 | 33 | 61 | 94 | 130 |
| Esa Tikkanen | 67 | 31 | 47 | 78 | 92 |
| Craig Simpson | 66 | 35 | 41 | 76 | 80 |

### Goaltending

| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | Save % | GAA |
| Bill Ranford | 29 | 1509 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 88 | 1 | .877 | 3.50 |
| Grant Fuhr | 59 | 3341 | 23 | 26 | 6 | 213 | 1 | .875 | 3.83 |

## Playoff stats
### Scoring leaders

| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Mark Messier | 7 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
| Jari Kurri | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Steve Smith | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
| Esa Tikkanen | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Jimmy Carson | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Normand Lacombe | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 21 |

### Goaltending

| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | Save % | GAA |
| Grant Fuhr | 7 | 417 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 1 | .894 | 3.45 |

## Awards and records
### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Martin Gelinas | 1st NHL Game 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point | October 7, 1988 |
| Steve Smith | 200th NHL Game | October 9, 1988 |
| Charlie Huddy | 500th NHL Game | October 16, 1988 |
| Kelly Buchberger | 100th NHL PIM | October 17, 1988 |
| Martin Gelinas | 1st NHL Goal | October 17, 1988 |
| Greg Adams | 200th NHL Point | October 19, 1988 |
| Chris Joseph | 1st NHL Goal | October 19, 1988 |
| Mark Messier | 900th NHL PIM | October 19, 1988 |
| Jari Kurri | 400th NHL Goal | October 23, 1988 |
| Esa Tikkanen | 200th NHL Game | October 25, 1988 |
| Keith Acton | 600th NHL Game | October 29, 1988 |
| Jimmy Carson | 100th NHL Assist | October 29, 1988 |
| Craig Simpson | 100th NHL Goal | October 30, 1988 |
| Jimmy Carson | 200th NHL Point | November 4, 1988 |
| Mark Messier | 3rd NHL Gordie Howe hat trick | November 4, 1988 |
| Glen Cochrane | 400th NHL Game | November 8, 1988 |
| Jari Kurri | 18th NHL Hat-trick | November 8, 1988 |
| Esa Tikkanen | 4th NHL Hat-trick | November 12, 1988 |
| Jimmy Carson | 100th NHL Goal | November 13, 1988 |
| Kevin Lowe | 700th NHL Game | November 16, 1988 |
| Glenn Anderson | 19th NHL Hat-trick 3rd Four-Goal NHL Game | November 19, 1988 |
| Kevin McClelland | 1,300th NHL PIM | November 19, 1988 |
| Normand Lacombe | 100th NHL PIM | November 26, 1988 |
| Craig Simpson | 200th NHL Point | December 2, 1988 |
| Steve Smith | 700th NHL PIM | December 4, 1988 |
| Jimmy Carson | 6th NHL Hat-trick | December 6, 1988 |
| Kelly Buchberger | 1st NHL Assist | December 7, 1988 |
| Jari Kurri | 19th NHL Hat-trick | December 7, 1988 |
| Esa Tikkanen | 200th NHL Point | December 7, 1988 |
| Craig Muni | 200th NHL PIM | December 8, 1988 |
| Craig Muni | 200th NHL Game | December 10, 1988 |
| Jari Kurri | 900th NHL Point | December 14, 1988 |
| Kim Issel | 1st NHL Game | December 23, 1988 |
| Kevin Lowe | 300th NHL Point | December 23, 1988 |
| Alan May | 1st NHL Goal 1st NHL Point | December 23, 1988 |
| Jimmy Carson | 200th NHL Game | January 4, 1989 |
| Kelly Buchberger | 200th NHL PIM | January 8, 1989 |
| Kevin McClelland | 100th NHL Assist | January 8, 1989 |
| Jeff Beukeboom | 400th NHL PIM | January 10, 1989 |
| Craig Simpson | 100th NHL Assist | January 10, 1989 |
| Dave Hunter | 900th NHL PIM | January 16, 1989 |
| Charlie Huddy | 300th NHL Point | January 20, 1989 |
| Francois Leroux | 1st NHL Game | January 21, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 800th NHL Point | January 21, 1989 |
| Craig MacTavish | 500th NHL Game | January 23, 1989 |
| Glenn Anderson | 400th NHL Assist | January 25, 1989 |
| Grant Fuhr | 200th NHL Win | January 28, 1989 |
| Mike Ware | 1st NHL Game | January 28, 1989 |
| Mike Ware | 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point | January 31, 1989 |
| Jari Kurri | 500th NHL Assist | February 3, 1989 |
| Craig Simpson | 300th NHL PIM | February 3, 1989 |
| Greg Adams | 1,100th NHL PIM | February 12, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 700th NHL Game | February 12, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 10th NHL Hat-trick 2nd Four-Goal NHL Game | February 21, 1989 |
| Craig Simpson | 2nd NHL Hat-trick | February 25, 1989 |
| Normand Lacombe | 200th NHL Game | March 1, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 1,000th NHL PIM | March 3, 1989 |
| Keith Acton | 700th NHL PIM | March 4, 1989 |
| Randy Gregg | 400th NHL Game | March 11, 1989 |
| Kelly Buchberger | 300th NHL PIM | March 15, 1989 |
| Charlie Huddy | 400th NHL PIM | March 19, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 500th NHL Assist | March 21, 1989 |
| Kevin Lowe | 800th NHL PIM | March 23, 1989 |
| Kevin McClelland | 1,400th NHL PIM | March 25, 1989 |
| Jimmy Carson | 100th NHL PIM | March 29, 1989 |
| Craig MacTavish | 300th NHL PIM | March 29, 1989 |
| Jari Kurri | 300th NHL PIM | April 2, 1989 |
Playoffs :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Dave Hunter | 100th NHL Game | April 5, 1989 |
| Craig Muni | 50th NHL PIM | April 5, 1989 |
| Randy Gregg | 100th NHL PIM | April 6, 1989 |
| Mark Lamb | 1st NHL Assist 1st NHL Point | April 8, 1989 |
| Normand Lacombe | 1st NHL Assist | April 9, 1989 |
| Glenn Anderson | 250th NHL PIM | April 11, 1989 |
| John LeBlanc | 1st NHL Game | April 15, 1989 |
| Mark Messier | 100th NHL Assist | April 15, 1989 |

## Transactions
### Trades

| July 22, 1988 | To Washington CapitalsGeoff Courtnall | To Edmonton OilersGreg Adams |
| August 9, 1988 | To Los Angeles KingsWayne Gretzky Mike Krushelnyski Marty McSorley | To Edmonton OilersJimmy Carson Martin Gelinas 1st-round pick in 1989 1st-round pick in 1991 1st-round pick in 1993 ($15 million) cash |
| August 10, 1988 | To Los Angeles KingsJohn Miner | To Edmonton OilersCraig Redmond |
| October 27, 1988 | To New York RangersRon Shudra | To Edmonton OilersJeff Crossman |
| January 3, 1989 | To Detroit Red Wings10th-round pick in 1989 | To Edmonton OilersMiroslav Frycer |
| January 23, 1989 | To Detroit Red Wings12th-round pick in 1989 | To Edmonton OilersDoug Halward |
| February 7, 1989 | To Philadelphia FlyersKeith Acton 6th-round pick in 1991 | To Edmonton OilersDave Brown |
| February 15, 1989 | To New York Islanders5th round pick in 1989 | To Edmonton OilersTomas Jonsson |
| March 7, 1989 | To Los Angeles KingsJim Wiemer Alan May | To Edmonton OilersBrian Wilks John English |
| March 7, 1989 | To Vancouver CanucksGreg Adams Doug Smith | To Edmonton OilersJohn LeBlanc 5th-round pick in 1989 |

### Free agents

| Player | Former team |
| D Reed Larson | Boston Bruins |
| F Stan Drulia | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| F Nick Fotiu | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Player | New team |
| F Shawn Evans | New York Islanders |
| F Dean Hopkins | Quebec Nordiques |
| D Reed Larson | New York Islanders |

### Waivers

| Date | Player | Team |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Steve Dykstra | to Pittsburgh Penguins |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Dave Hannan | to Pittsburgh Penguins |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Ken Hammond | from Los Angeles Kings |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Dave Hunter | to Winnipeg Jets |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Craig Redmond | to New York Rangers |
| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) | Doug Smith | Buffalo Sabres |
| November 1, 1988 (1988-11-01) | Ken Hammond | to New York Rangers |
| November 1, 1988 (1988-11-01) | Craig Redmond | from New York Rangers |
| November 7, 1988 (1988-11-07) | Glen Cochrane | from Chicago Blackhawks |
| January 14, 1989 (1989-01-14) | Dave Hunter | from Winnipeg Jets |

### Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/junior/club team (league) |
| 1 | 19 | Francois Leroux | Canada | Saint-Jean Castors (QMJHL) |
| 2 | 39 | Petro Koivunen | Finland | Kiekko-Espoo (Finland) |
| 3 | 53 | Trevor Sim | Canada | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 3 | 61 | Collin Bauer | Canada | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| 4 | 82 | Cam Brauer | Canada | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECAC) |
| 5 | 103 | Don Martin | Canada | London Knights (OHL) |
| 6 | 124 | Len Barrie | Canada | Victoria Cougars (WHL) |
| 7 | 145 | Mike Glover | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| 8 | 166 | Shjon Podein | United States | University of Minnesota Duluth (WCHA) |
| 9 | 187 | Tom Cole | United States | Woburn Memorial High School (USHS-MA) |
| 10 | 208 | Vladimir Zubkov | Soviet Union | CSKA Moscow (Soviet Union) |
| 11 | 229 | Darin MacDonald | United States | Boston University (ECAC) |
| 12 | 250 | Tim Tisdale | Canada | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| S | 24 | Brian Dowd | Canada | Northeastern University (Hockey East) |