The Rivalry That Endures
Leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, Mar. 7, 2025, The Hockey News will revisit some of the most memorable trades in Calgary Flames history, starting with their Alberta rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. Surprisingly, there is no love lost between the Flames and the Oilers. More than 30 years after the peak of their rivalry in the 1980s, when the teams alternated runs to the Stanley Cup Final, they are still hostile towards one another in 2025. This deep-seated rivalry explains why the two clubs have had little to no transactions. Although Calgary and Edmonton have been competing in the NHL since 1980, their first trade occurred in 2010.
The First Trade: A Pioneer Deal
On Mar. 3, 2010, Steve Staios and Aaron Johnson became the first players traded between the Flames and Oilers. At the time, Staios was an NHL veteran who had played 879 games, while Johnson had played 206 games. Over parts of two seasons, Staios’ stat line with the Flames included 57 games, four goals, nine assists, and 13 points. He left as a free agent in 2011. Meanwhile, Johnson played only 19 games with three goals and seven points, leaving as a free agent in 2010. Interestingly, the draft pick involved in this trade, Travis Ewanyk, is still playing professionally in Germany. He had never played in the NHL but had several seasons in the AHL and ECHL before moving to Europe.
Defense and Goalie Swap: A Mixed Bag
The second-ever trade between Calgary and Edmonton involved some defensemen and goalies on Nov. 8, 2013. When Ladislav Smid moved to Southern Alberta, he was an eight-year veteran. He scored 11 goals and 65 points with the Oilers and one goal and seven points in 109 games with the Flames over three seasons. On the other hand, Olivier Roy never skated in the NHL, playing several years in the AHL and ECHL before moving to Europe to play in Slovenia, Germany, and Italy. At 33, he’s still playing, on his second stint in Germany. The Flames dealt away Laurent Brossoit, who never skated with the organization, making his NHL debut with the Oilers. He eventually found a steady backup role with the Winnipeg Jets and won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Brossoit is on his second tour of duty with the Jets in 2024-25. After a solid start to his career, Roman Horek played 82 games with the Flames over three seasons before the trade. Unfortunately, he only skated two games with Edmonton before moving to Russia to play in the KHL. Since 2018, Horek has played in the SHL and now skates in the Czechia league.
The Blockbuster: James Neal for Milan Lucic
In one of the more significant blockbuster moves of 2019, two 30-goal scorers swapped sweaters as James Neal was dealt from Calgary to Edmonton for Milan Lucic on July 19, 2019. One year after signing with the Flames as a free agent, Neal scored only seven goals and 19 points in 63 games, a significant drop from his previous year’s total. Meanwhile, Lucic’s production had dipped with the Oilers, down to six goals and 20 points in 79 games. Ultimately, both players needed a change of scenery, which they got in this deal. In four seasons with Calgary, Lucic scored 39 goals and 83 points, while Neal had 24 goals and 41 points in 84 games before signing as a free agent. Lucic rejoined the Bruins in 2023, returning to the team where he won the Stanley Cup in 2011.
The Aftermath: Draft Picks and Second Tours
In the end, Calgary traded away the draft pick they acquired in the deal to the Los Angeles Kings, who picked Kirill Kirsanov at 84th overall in the 2021 Draft. The trade between the Flames and Oilers has had a long-lasting impact on both teams. While Neal and Lucic found varying levels of success in their new homes, the draft pick has also played a significant role in shaping the future of the Kings. The animosity between Calgary and Edmonton continues to fuel their rivalry, making each trade and transaction a significant moment in the history of both franchises.
Legacy of the Rivalry: A Story of Rivalry and Resilience
The history of trades between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers is a testament to the deep-seated rivalry that has defined their relationship for over three decades. Each trade, from the pioneering deal in 2010 to the blockbuster move in 2019, has contributed to the narrative of a rivalry that transcends the ice. The players involved have gone on to build their own legacies, some finding success and others facing challenges. The enduring animosity between the two teams ensures that any future transactions will be met with intense scrutiny and high expectations. As the NHL Trade Deadline approaches in 2025, the eyes of hockey fans will be on Alberta, waiting to see if the next chapter in this storied rivalry will be written.
