Connor McDavid Makes NHL History, Joins Wayne Gretzky in Record Book with Another Legendary Season Cementing All-Time Greatness Status
Connor McDavid has done it again.
The Edmonton Oilers captain, widely considered the most electrifying player of his generation, has officially etched his name deeper into the NHL’s storied history books—this time directly behind the greatest to ever play the game, Wayne Gretzky. With a performance that blends elite skill, generational vision, and relentless drive, McDavid’s latest milestone puts him in exclusive company, adding yet another chapter to a career already brimming with historic accomplishments.
In a season where expectations were sky-high for both McDavid and the Oilers, the superstar center rose above them yet again, notching statistical feats that hadn’t been seen since Gretzky’s dominance in the 1980s. By recording over 130 points in back-to-back seasons and becoming the first player since Gretzky to tally such numbers in the modern era, McDavid has now carved out a place for himself not just among current superstars but within the all-time pantheon of hockey legends.
For fans of the Oilers, the sight of another No. 97 dominating headlines alongside No. 99 feels like a revival of glory days long past. McDavid’s rise has always carried echoes of Gretzky’s legacy—same franchise, same position, same ability to leave defenders in the dust and fans in awe. But now, those echoes have become statistically tangible.
To understand the magnitude of McDavid’s achievement, one must revisit the context of the NHL’s changing landscape. In Gretzky’s time, the league was more open, scoring was higher, and goaltending techniques were still evolving. McDavid, by contrast, is performing in an era defined by structure, systems, analytics, and elite goaltending. Defensive schemes are tighter. Opponents are faster. Space is limited. And yet, McDavid continues to find ways to bend the game to his will.
His latest record-breaking campaign included a flurry of multi-point games, highlight-reel goals, and game-changing assists. Night after night, he dominated shifts with a blend of speed and finesse that remains unrivaled. He reached the 100-point mark in fewer games than any other active player this season, and his point-per-game pace hovered near or above 1.8—a staggering number in the modern NHL.
With this latest milestone, McDavid becomes just the second player in Oilers history to achieve this level of sustained offensive dominance over multiple seasons. Gretzky did it repeatedly in the 1980s, often eclipsing 150 or even 200 points in a season, but no one since had come remotely close—until now. McDavid’s ability to match those figures in an entirely different era only adds to the weight of his accomplishment.
What makes McDavid’s feat even more impressive is the consistency with which he performs. There are no slumps, no prolonged stretches of mediocrity. Whether it’s October or April, whether the team is cruising or struggling, McDavid shows up. He logs heavy minutes, takes the toughest matchups, and leads by example. His commitment to excellence, both in performance and preparation, is part of what separates him from his peers.
Teammates marvel at his work ethic. Coaches praise his focus. And opponents, more often than not, simply shake their heads in disbelief after he turns a nothing play into a scoring chance. Former NHL star and now-analyst Paul Bissonnette summed it up recently on a broadcast: “He’s playing a different game. It’s like he’s from the future, and everyone else is stuck in the past.”
McDavid’s offensive dominance isn’t just individual brilliance—it lifts the entire team. His presence opens space for teammates, elevates linemates, and forces opposing teams to adjust every aspect of their defensive schemes. It’s no coincidence that Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and other Oilers have enjoyed career years playing alongside or behind McDavid. He’s a one-man system breaker.
And yet, even with his historic production, McDavid remains relentlessly team-focused. When asked about his record-setting season, he deflects attention. “It’s always humbling to be mentioned with someone like Wayne,” McDavid said in a post-game interview after hitting the milestone. “But it’s about winning here. That’s what matters most.”
That attitude has defined McDavid from the beginning. Despite all the personal accolades—multiple Hart Trophies, Art Ross titles, Ted Lindsay Awards—his eyes remain fixed on the one prize that has eluded him: the Stanley Cup. And for Oilers fans, that hunger, combined with his all-time talent, fuels hope that the franchise is inching closer to ending its championship drought.
It’s fitting that McDavid would chase Gretzky in more ways than one. Gretzky didn’t just score points; he won championships. He turned Edmonton into a dynasty. And while McDavid’s journey has not followed the same trajectory, it now has the potential to reach similar heights—especially if the organization continues to build effectively around its captain.
The comparisons between the two players are often made with caution, given the sheer magnitude of Gretzky’s numbers and the difference in eras. But now, with every passing season, McDavid is closing the gap—not necessarily in raw totals, but in relative impact. His offensive numbers stand out not just because they are high, but because they are astronomically higher than most players in today’s NHL. In a league of parity and precision, McDavid continues to defy gravity.
Wayne Gretzky himself has been nothing but supportive of McDavid’s rise. “He’s the best player in the game today,” Gretzky said during an interview earlier this season. “The way he sees the ice, his speed, his leadership—it’s all there. Records are meant to be broken, and if anyone can do it, it’s Connor.”
That kind of praise, coming from the Great One, underscores just how special McDavid’s season has been. It also reflects the torch-passing nature of hockey’s history—where each generation gets a player who defines it. For the 1980s, it was Gretzky. For the 2020s, it’s undoubtedly McDavid.
His legacy, even at just 28 years old, is already secure in many respects. But for McDavid, the records are just part of the journey. He wants more—more wins, more banners, more meaning. He wants his name not just next to Gretzky’s in the record books, but beside him on a Stanley Cup. And if his current trajectory continues, that dream might not be far off.
For now, though, hockey fans can simply enjoy the privilege of watching greatness unfold in real time. McDavid’s place behind Gretzky in the Oilers record books is not a mark of being second-best; it’s a sign of just how far he’s come and how rare his talent truly is.
Records may fall. Points may come and go. But what McDavid is doing in this era—at this pace, with this poise—is something we may not see again for a very long time. He’s not just chasing history. He’s making it. And every night he steps on the ice, we’re witnessing a legacy in the making.
From Edmonton to arenas across North America, fans rise to their feet not just for goals, but for the opportunity to say they saw Connor McDavid play. Like Gretzky before him, McDavid has become appointment viewing—a player who changes games and alters franchises. And now, with his name officially beside the greatest of all time in the record book, it’s clear: Connor McDavid isn’t just part of NHL history. He is NHL history in the making.
