The 1979–80 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' eighth season and their first season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Oilers were of four WHA organizations that were granted NHL expansion franchises under the terms of an expansion agreement that took effect on June 22, 1979.
The Oilers were led offensively by rookie superstar Wayne Gretzky, as he tied for the lead league in points at 137, however lost the Art Ross Trophy due to scoring 2 fewer goals than winner Marcel Dionne. Gretzky, however, won the Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP of the NHL but was declared ineligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy due to his playing days in the WHA.
Edmonton played six goaltenders during the season and was led by Eddie Mio's nine wins, while Ron Low, who came over in a trade with the Quebec Nordiques, would go 8–2–1 in 11 games with the Oilers.
They made the playoffs, however, they were quickly swept out by the powerful Philadelphia Flyers in 3 games, but Oilers fans were very excited about being part of the NHL, and of the future of the team.
Regular season
Final standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results
Playoffs
Player statistics
Scoring leaders
Goaltending
Playoff stats
Scoring leaders
Goaltending
Awards and records
Wayne Gretzky - Hart Memorial Trophy
Records
Milestones
Transactions
Trades
*Oilers promised to not make Paul Shmyr one of its priority selections in the 1979 NHL expansion draft
Free agents
From waivers
Draft picks
Edmonton's draft picks at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft:
Expansion draft picks
Edmonton's expansion draft picks at the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft
Trades
The Montreal Canadiens traded Dave Hunter in exchange for Edmonton selecting Cam Connor. The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Stan Weir in exchange for Edmonton not to select Ron Ellis.