It was 28 years ago, a Tuesday in the summer, much like this one.
Aug. 9, 1988: The day the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky, "The Great One," to the Los Angeles Kings. Nothing was the same.
Here's how the trade would have played out on Twitter, had the world been lucky enough for the social media platform to exist back then.
TSN's Bob McKenzie would have broken the deal. He's the Insider Godfather, after all.
Hearing Oilers close to trading Wayne Gretzky to Kings as part of massive package. Multiple sources confirm. Not a drill.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman would have been next.
Krushelnyski part of Gretzky package, one other player to LA. Hearing numerous 1st-round picks and cash on the way to Edmonton. Wow.
Now, at this point, Hockey Twitter all but explodes. Imagine Sidney Crosby being traded. Now multiply that reaction by about 1,000. This one would have left Down Goes Brown speechless.
Not Bruce Arthur, though.
This is the end of Canada. Canada is over.
Darren Dreger's up.
Millions in cash going from LA to Edmonton. At least $10M, if not more. This is happening.
The City of Edmonton's Twitter account chimes in at this point, only in emoji.
=(
McKenzie isn't done. This is his baby, his second fictional tweet below becoming the most embedded of all time.
McSorley going to LA. Oilers getting Jimmy Carson (55 goals, 107 points), firsts in '89, '91, '93, $15 million. Confirmed.
Full trade: Gretzky, Krushelnyski, McSorley to LA. Carson, 1st-rounder Martin Gelinas, 3 firsts (89, 91, 93), $15M to Edmonton.
Oilers to have presser. Pocklington, Sather, Gretzky to speak. Done deal. Incredible.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, based in L.A., gets a hold of Kings owner Bruce McNall.
Text from Kings owner McNall: "I've got to do something to sell hockey in LA, and there's no name in hockey like Wayne Gretzky." He's right.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos has the latest on Edmontonians.
Phones in Oilers offices blowing up. Fans canceling season tickets, saying they'll never buy seat to Oilers game again.
Down Goes Brown can only think of the poor soul running the Oilers' Twitter account.
The Oilers' social media department is going to need years of therapy. All the therapy.
You know Statistics Canada is all over the news.
124% of Canadians think trading Wayne Gretzky is certifiably insane.
McKenzie isn't done. BoBo is never done.
Pocklington gave 99 chance to back out of deal, told him, "I don't want to trade you." 99 refused, new opportunity, good for US hockey.
At this point, the trolls are attacking Janet Jones, Gretzky's wife, on Twitter. Kypreos is on it.
Gretzky, actress Janet Jones married last month. Told her career played factor in decision. Best decision for 99 and his family.
The Oilers' Twitter account confirms the trade. The replies are the worst in history.
Oilers acquire Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, 3 first-round picks, cash in exchange for Wayne Gretzky in five-player trade.
McKenzie is on fire.
Gretzky asked for trade. Family decision with Janet expecting, career in Hollywood. Gut-wrenching decision, but Oilers did right by 99.
Member of Cdn parliament asking federal govt to step in and block trade, or buy 99's contract and sell to Cdn team. Unprecedented.
Fast forward to the press conference:
McKenzie took a private jet from his cottage to the presser. He live-tweeted the festivities.
Sather: "Everything changes, we all get older ... that is the tough part, saying goodbye. I'm going to miss Wayne."
Pocklington: "I believe Wayne has earned the right to determine his own destiny. We are not replacing Wayne Gretzky in this trade."
More Pocklington: "You cannot replace Gretzky. It's like losing a son. He's been more than a hockey player to me."
99: "I'm disappointed with leaving Edmonton. I've enjoyed living here and I love the fans."
Gretzky very emotional. Numerous Oilers staffers as well. #Kleenex
Gretzky crying: "I told Messier I wouldn't do this ..."
Finally, it's all said and done, and McKenzie tweets his final words, followed by a photo of beautiful sunset with a glass of wine in the foreground.
Back at the cottage. Wayne Gretzky is a Los Angeles King ...
An hour later, Gretzky takes to Twitter, posting the following picture and caption:
Thank you, Edmonton. #4Cups
Mark Messier, meanwhile, takes to Instagram.
See you later, not goodbye. #Brothers #11 #99
What a day.
- With H/T to NHL.com
