Edmonton Oilers Boast Most Expensive Collectibles in NHL Right Now, Research Finds

The Edmonton Oilers may not hold the record for the most Stanley Cups or the longest winning streak, but they currently boast the most valuable collectibles in the NHL. Worth more than the 1960s memorabilia from the last successful Toronto Maple Leafs team or even the unstoppably dominant Montréal Canadiens teams of every decade before the 1980s, it is the mid-1980s Oilers merch that commands the highest prices.

Much of this legacy centers on one player: Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One.” To this day, his shadow looms large over the NHL. He ended his career with over 60 NHL records and most stand to this day. Hockey Writers has to cut its list from ten to nine, but the remaining listed records really look to be unbeatable. So, it tracks that Edmonton and Gretzky merch is so coveted now.

Oilers and Gretzky Dominate NHL Merchandise

In merchandise research that analyzed the sales of pieces across all the most popular auction and second-hand stores online, the Edmonton Oilers are the clear winners for the most expensive collectibles. According to the data found by Betano, getting each of the most expensive pieces of Oilers merch will cost you over $282,000. The next team on the list would only set you back around $137,000 to get all the top stuff.

This looked at the combined price of the most expensive trading card, hockey stick, puck, and jersey. In all but one of these categories, the Oilers also reign supreme – plus only two pieces come with Gretzky’s name attached. The Wayne Gretzky Complete O-Pee-Chee Career Collection card fetches over $199,000, and his 1983-84 Stanley Cup White Jersey costs over $40,000. Joining the Gretzky collection is a used Leon Draisaitl stick, valued at an eye-watering $264,000.

Potentially a New Mega Merchandiser in the Ranks

Already, the Oilers merchandise dominates three of the four main categories (the most valuable puck is from the Montréal Canadiens). Having a Draisaitl stick in the mix is impressive, especially when you consider who the face of the franchise is. Connor McDavid would be most people’s go-to pick as a big merchandise seller of the modern team. This isn’t to undercut Draisaitl’s incredible efforts, but we all know the drill by now.

Going forward, there is a chance for the Oilers to become even more dominant in NHL merchandising. However, that’ll rely on McDavid signing on before his current deal expires. At the end of the 2025/26 season, his eight-year, $100 million deal will end. After losing in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, fatigue building, and the team failing to improve in the offseason – particularly in the crease – some are expecting McDavid to move on.

As NHL.com reports, Edmonton has stated that it is ready to talk as soon as its star center is. While it’s very keen to get him back on the books, Edmonton also says that he’s earned the right to choose. If McDavid chose to sign on even for just a few more seasons, and the team manages to upgrade around his and Draisaitl’s huge contracts, he should have another shot at the Cup. If he does, McDavid could become one of the Oilers’ all-time greats.

Thanks to Gretzky’s enduring legacy, the Oilers are unlikely to be unseated from the top spot in NHL merchandise any time soon. If McDavid stays and hoists the Cup, however, a kind of recency bias may kick in to challenge for the individual top spots.