It was a little more than three years ago when Wayne Gretzky predicted the Edmonton Oilers were on their way to big improvement in the National Hockey League.

And he did it in one simple sentence: “We’ll be a really good team when the big guy decides he wants to run his own line.”

Now it’s obvious that “the big guy” was, and is, Leon Draisaitl. Gretzky’s words came as a team-wide selection of alleged experts insisted the Oilers would reach their peak if then-coach Todd McLellan would leave Draisaitl and the remarkable Connor McDavid as allies on the same forward line long enough to allow some solid second- and third-line players to become consistently valuable.

The operative words in Gretzky’s sentence — “decides to” — became memorable only after Draisaitl matured enough to recognize his own potential. The specific turning point from bright prospect to budding superstar Is impossible to define precisely, but it certainly happened last season.

Until then, the German youngster remained only an intriguing prospect. He operated comfortably, and often effectively, with McDavid doing most of the work, getting almost all the attention and still scoring points at a ridiculous level

To state the obvious once again, Draisaitl’s status as scoring champion and likely winner of the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player has erased any fear that he might fall short of the potential that showed in his junior career.

Now, he faces another step: showing his dominance — on his own line much of the time and in partnership with McDavid on Edmonton’s ominous power play. The Chicago Blackhawks are certain to see brilliance from their offensive co-leaders through at least three first-round playoff games, and perhaps as many as five games.

Since almost the moment, months ago,when commissioner Gary Bettman’s dream of completing a Stanley Cup playoff was first circulated, respect has grown for the Oilers as potential champions — this year, not next year.

Coach Dave Tippett and general manager Ken Holland have been extremely strategic in their public utterances: “sure we’re good, but we’re still growing,” is a shared outlook. Holland, in particular, has been cautious. His years of success as the operational head of the Detroit Red Wings showed him that depth and experience are essential to reach the top of any competitive ladder.

The season-long improvement of defender Ethan Bear and winger Kailer Yamamoto has done much to improve team depth, back and front. Evan Bouchard, Phil Broberg and Caleb Jones are all nearing regular play on a big-league blueline crew. Tyler Benson, Ryan McLeod, Ostap Safin show similar signs up front.

These future additions make it obvious the Oilers have potential as serious candidates, both short- and long-term.

Was the quick evolution of Draisaitl from prospect to standout THE biggest on-ice element in this positive building project? It’s hard to argue otherwise.

Coronavirus invasion of major league baseball was bound to happen sooner or later

It was but a few years ago, I felt that Alberta was sitting at the adult table. We were participating in adult conversations, looking for adult solutions to adult issues. Not anymore.

Not only does it seem like we are sitting at the children’s table, but a table of some other generation and I would go so far as possibly,  the table of some backward southern state.

In those same states, would they be insulted if you said they were like Alberta?

Investors, bankers, shareholders, fund managers and others are looking to invest in the future. Alberta appears to be only interested in the past investments.

Science, intellectuals, and human compassion are secondary to oil and gas. Disclosure: I made a lot of money in the O&G sector. The future is not oil & gas, though it is a vital industry it is only a sector of the economy and not “THE” economy.

I have contacts across this country, and I notice the nuances that suggest Alberta is sitting at the children’s table.

The fighting with doctors, nurses, teachers, environmentalists, high tech developers, arts & entertainment sectors, make life appear untenable for investors and professionals.

If you moved your company to Alberta, will the employees follow or stay behind with their education, health and recreational needs met?

Will you have to hire new employees and move them to Alberta? Will these employees be on the move when they start having children?

I talk to one Albertan who said she loved her community until her child turned 5. Another Albertan said she had an awakening when her career took her out of Alberta. One former Albertan laughed when I mentioned working remotely, at home, in Alberta. He said he couldn’t because he still needed to talk to other professionals.

In such a short time, I get the feeling that Alberta has been relegated to the children’s table.

Will we make it back to the adult table, or is that wishful thinking? Probably, at least for now.