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.

• Wayne Gretzky – Hart Memorial Trophy

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft:

More information Round, # ...

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/Junior/Club team (League)
1	21	Kevin Lowe	Canada	Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
3	48	Mark Messier	Canada	Cincinnati Stingers (WHA)
4	69	Glenn Anderson	Canada	Denver Pioneers (WCHA)
4	84	Max Kostovich	Canada	Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
5	105	Mike Toal	Canada	Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
6	126	Blair Barnes	Canada	Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL)

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Expansion draft picks

Edmonton's expansion draft picks at the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft

More information Pick, Nationality ...

Pick	Nationality	Player	Pos	Age	Drafted From	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	W	L	T	GAA
1		Pete LoPresti	G	25	Minnesota North Stars	173	0	3	3	6	43	101	20	4.06
2		Doug Favell	G	34	Colorado Rockies	373	0	8	8	152	123	153	69	3.17
3		Cam Connor	RW	24	Montreal Canadiens	23	1	3	4	39	—	—	—	—
4		Lee Fogolin	D	24	Buffalo Sabres	329	8	68	76	424	—	—	—	—
5		Pat Price	D	24	New York Islanders	182	8	45	53	104	—	—	—	—
6		Colin Campbell	D	26	Pittsburgh Penguins	297	17	60	77	584	—	—	—	—
7		Larry Brown	D	32	Los Angeles Kings	455	7	53	60	180	—	—	—	—
8		Ron Areshenkoff	C	22	Buffalo Sabres	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
9		Inge Hammarstrom	LW	31	St. Louis Blues	427	116	123	239	98	—	—	—	—
10		John Gould	RW	30	Atlanta Flames	452	122	129	251	103	—	—	—	—
11		Doug Hicks	D	24	Chicago Black Hawks	357	20	63	83	241	—	—	—	—
12		Tom Edur	D	24	Pittsburgh Penguins	158	17	70	87	67	—	—	—	—
13		Wayne Bianchin	LW	25	Pittsburgh Penguins	264	68	41	109	137	—	—	—	—
14		Mike Forbes	D	21	Boston Bruins	32	0	4	4	15	—	—	—	—
15		Doug Patey	RW	22	Washington Capitals	45	4	2	6	8	—	—	—	—
16		Bob Kelly	LW	33	Chicago Black Hawks	425	87	109	196	687	—	—	—	—

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Trades

• The Montreal Canadiens traded Dave Hunter and Ron Carter in exchange for Edmonton not to select Bill Nyrop, Gilles Lupien, or Rod Langway.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Stan Weir in exchange for Edmonton not to select Ron Ellis.

This sports-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2021)

• 1979–80 NHL season