Kent Nilsson began his career in 1973–74, playing for Djurgårdens IF during his first of four seasons in Sweden. He then came to North America, and played for the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA beginning in 1977. He scored two consecutive 100-point seasons in the WHA; and his offensive production continued when the league merged with the NHL.
He was claimed by the Atlanta Flames, and in his first season with the team he scored 93 points. The next season, 1980–81, Atlanta moved to Calgary; Nilsson scored 131 points, which is still the team record [1], and he came third in NHL scoring. Nilsson played with the Flames until 1984–85 when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars for a draft pick that the Flames used to draft Joe Nieuwendyk. Nilsson won his first and only Stanley Cup while playing with the Edmonton Oilers in 1987. He returned to Europe after that season, playing in Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway. In 1988–89 he was named Player of the Year in Sweden. He returned Edmonton for six games in 1995, which made him the last former Atlanta Flames player to play in the NHL. He would then play briefly again in Europe until 1998.
He is currently a scout for the Edmonton Oilers, operating out of Europe. His son, Robert Nilsson, is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers. Awards * Won Lou Kaplan Trophy (WHA Rookie of the Year) (1978). * Won Paul Daneau Trophy (WHA Most Gentlemanly Player) (1979).
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