What was he pacing last season? 120ish? And this season? 150ish? He’s never really scored at a pace like this before.
This season is the outlier thus far. I mean, he’s only traveling between BC and Quebec for 2 or 3 game series against 6 teams, only 2 of which I’d consider safe bets as playoff teams. One of the hardest parts about producing in the NHL is the scheduling, travel, and the 82 game grind. Couple all that with being an all star that is targeted every game and it’s the most brutal pro league to play in.
I’ll happily eat crow on this one if he can prove people like me wrong. As far as entertainment value goes he’s right up there with Bure and peak Ovi for me, probably already in my top 10 favourite players. But until he does this during a normal season, I’m not convinced this is the norm for him.
He was pacing for 124 points last year BUT he was coming off a major, major injury where he didn't get to skate normally for basically the entire off-season.
It's also not uncommon for players to take a massive step forward around age 24/25.
Leon Draisaitl went from a 77 point player to a 100+ point player to 120+ point player. MacKinnon went from back to back 52/53 point seasons to 97/99 points. Kucherov went from a 65 point ish guy to 85 points to 100 points then 128 points.
People were kidding themselves if they thought McDavid didn't have another gear to hit.
The other thing that's not being factored in is this is the first time McDavid or Draisaitl have really had offensive producing D to join them. Barrie and Nurse are both top 10 in D scoring, every one of the other scorers has always had the luxury of a 50-60+ point D, Reilly in Toronto, Hedman in Tampa, Letang in Pittsburgh, etc. etc. It makes it a lot freaking easier to score when your D is actually a threat and can move the puck out of the zone more quickly.