This, That and the Other Thing
5 years ago
Winning isn’t everything, at least as it pertains to the Edmonton Oilers when it comes to the value of NHL teams. Despite making the playoffs in just one of the 11 seasons Daryl Katz has owned the Oilers, the team is today worth more than triple what Katz paid for it back in 2008.
In Forbes latest valuation of NHL franchises, their 20th such list, the Oilers are listed as being valued at $540 million U.S., or just a touch over $725 million CAD based on latest exchange rates. Katz purchased the Oilers for $200 million CAD from the Edmonton Investor’s Group in a sale that was approved by the NHL in June of 2008.
The valuation of $540 million has the Oilers ranked 13th in the NHL (they ranked 24th in 2009), just behind the Vegas Golden Knights ($575 million) and just ahead of the Dallas Stars ($525 million). The values listed by Forbes are through the 2017-18 season. This list was released back in December, but I don’t recall seeing it before today. The top five teams in the Forbes list are:
- New York Rangers ($1.55 billion)
- Toronto Maple Leafs ($1.45 billion)
- Montreal Canadiens ($1.3 billion)
- Chicago Blackhawks ($1.05 billion)
- Boston Bruins ($925 million)
The entire Forbes valuation list is here.
BARGAIN
Katz actually made five different offers to the EIG, starting at $145 million CAD in May 2007 and escalating up to $188 million CAD, with each offer being rejected, before making the $200 million CAD bid that was eventually accepted. Suffice to say, the purchase has proven to be a smoking deal for Katz. Not so much for fans, who have seen the Oilers make the playoffs just once, 2016-17, since the sale of the team.
Save for that season, when the Oilers won 47 games, finished with 103 points and made it to the second round of post-season before being eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks, and 2008-09, when the Oilers won 38 games had 85 points (.518), the team hasn’t finished above .500 in points-percentage during Katz’s tenure as owner.
By comparison, the expansion Golden Knights, one spot up on the Oilers on the Forbes list, have made the playoffs in both of their NHL seasons while the Stars, right behind the Oilers in value, have qualified for post-season three times in the last 11 seasons. As for the top five teams in terms of value, it looks like this:
New York Rangers – playoffs eight of 11 seasons
Toronto Maple Leafs – four of 11
Montreal Canadiens – seven of 11
Chicago Blackhawks – nine of 11/SC winner 2010, 2013, 2015
Boston Bruins – nine of 11/SC winner 2011
Toronto Maple Leafs – four of 11
Montreal Canadiens – seven of 11
Chicago Blackhawks – nine of 11/SC winner 2010, 2013, 2015
Boston Bruins – nine of 11/SC winner 2011
WHILE I’M AT IT
- If you’re looking for a good time in support of a great cause, swing by Polar Park Brewery this Thursday for a Hot Stove with former Oilers’ coach Ron Low from 5-9 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and you get a free beer, chicken wings, pizza, a chance to talk hockey with one of the great story-tellers in the game and a silent auction. Proceeds go to Hockey Helps the Homeless.
- So, the 2019 Calder Trophy finalists are Jordan Binnington of St. Louis, Rasmus Dahlin of Buffalo and Elias Pettersson of Vancouver. The award will be voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association based on the regular season. It’s Pettersson in a landslide, no?
HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS
Last year, the fifth edition of Hockey Helps the Homeless in Edmonton had a record year by raising $200,000 to assist the Mustard Seed and Jasper Place Wellness Centre in helping the homeless and those living in poverty.
With the event fast approaching May 10 at the Terwillegar Rec Centre, we’re hoping citizens of Oilersnation step up to help, as they always do, to make HHTH the biggest success yet. Last year’s response was fantastic, thanks in large part to the 10th anniversary Oilersnation party that raised $5,000 for HHTH, with every penny staying right here in Edmonton.
In these final days leading up to the tournament, we’re hoping to sell as many $1,000 pennant sponsorships, and $100 Mega-Raffle tickets as we can. If you own a small business or want a keepsake for the games room at home, pennant sponsorships are perfect – you get a pennant with your company logo signed by our pros. With the Mega-Raffle, just 100 tickets are printed. The winner gets a Theatre Suite for 10 guests, food and a bar tab at an Oilers game next season hosted by Ron and Linda Low. Good times.
You can check out the website, purchase pennant sponsorships and Mega-Raffle tickets or donate here.
Previously by Robin Brownlee
Recent articles from Robin Brownlee
