illpucks
Registered User
- May 26, 2011
- 20,525
- 4,973
Gretzky has 14 seasons of 100+ pts (his first 13)
McDavid already has 4 and it would be 5 if no Covid, he was on pace for 124 pts last year. So basically only missed in his 18-19 y/o rookie season but only played 45 games anyway
Just has to stay healthy to pot another 10+ IMO. Generational players usually don't decline at a young age but of course, it all depends on injuries
I'd love to see McDavid break that Gretzky record
Gretzky actually has 15. I know because I just checked before even seeing your post, was curious. You're probably forgetting 1995-1996 where he was traded mid-year, but still finished with 102 points.
For reference, here's the all-time leaders of 100 point seasons:
Gretzky 15
Lemieux 10
Dionne 8
Bossy + Stastny 7
Then a bunch of players at 6 (Orr, Crosby, Hawerchuk, Kurri, Lafleur, Esposito, Trottier, Sakic, Yzerman & Messier)
Then Jagr, Coffey and Denis Savard at 5
Than of course McDavid and a bunch of others at 4
I'm actually surprised by this list upon looking it up - I thought more players would have more 100 points season in high scoring 80s and 90s, these numbers are lower than I expected.
McDavid in my opinion has 0 chance to surpass Gretzky at 15. He'd have to hit 100 point every single season until and including age 36. Crosby just hit 16 straight seasons above ppg, which is an all-time record for start of career, so that consistency is already super rare - and you'd want to McDavid to surpass even that. Plus - his game is very heavily reliant on speed, and so that might age a bit less good than other generation talents (like Gretzky/Lemieux/Crosby).
I think #2 - Lemieux at 10 - is a possible target - but everything would have to go right. Very good chance he at least matches Dionne at #3 though. I guessed at 9
True, didn't see the 1995-96 season, then it gets even less likely that McDavid breaks that particular record. I'm not a bigger Gretzky or McDavid fan, just love hockey and it's awesome to see all-time greats play.
Crosby is also an all-time great, 16 straight seasons above PPG to start a career is incredible but McDavid should also do that quite easily. He has already has 6 and still 24 y/o. Trust me, I take Crosby over McDavid if I want to build my team, but speaking of production, I'm taking McDavid.
I don't think everything "has to go right". McDavid is a supreme offensive player, I think he only has to stay healthy, I think he'll still be an incredible skater up to 35 if he remains healthy. What he is able to do in this day and age with today's athletes, and particularly goalies, is insane. I mean, guys like MacKinnon and Kucherov are also incredible players but still clearly behind him in terms of productions. The game got so much faster and overall talent has evolved a lot, and so many european players in the NHL has certainly played a part.
Anyway, I don't care much, not trying to spend time on this debate. IMO, I think McDavid could easily pot 12+ seasons over 100 pts. I'm not a McDavid/Oilers fan whatsoever.
By everything going right I just meant:
- No big injuries (Crosby had a bunch)
- No more big shortened season impact (like Covid, or lockout, or Zombie apocalypse - who knows). Clearly that didn't stop him this year, but it did last year
- Unexpectedly scoring going down in league. He'll still score 100 points if scoring goes down the next few years while near his peak, but by the time he hits 30 or more, if scoring goes way down, that becomes harder
I think he has a chance at 10 but he needs good luck/fortunes to help him along. We'll see
Crosby is always a good comparable for McDavid
Crosby had 4 100 points season through 6 seasons (paced for 6, but injuries)
McDavid has 4 100 point seasons through 6 seasons (paced for 5th last year, but Covid)
Crosby has 6 overall, 16 years into his career. I think if you had asked that question back then for Crosby, no one would have guess at only 6. Injuries/scoring going down are why.
I'll be optimistic and say 9 for McDavid - but sometimes it's really hard to predict what may happen unexpectedly.
Crosby is always a good comparable for McDavid
Crosby had 4 100 points season through 6 seasons (paced for 6, but injuries)
McDavid has 4 100 point seasons through 6 seasons (paced for 5th last year, but Covid)
Crosby has 6 overall, 16 years into his career. I think if you had asked that question back then for Crosby, no one would have guess at only 6. Injuries/scoring going down are why.
I'll be optimistic and say 9 for McDavid - but sometimes it's really hard to predict what may happen unexpectedly.
I’ll say as many as illpucks making McDavid threads, so 10