Connor McDavid has cemented his status as one of the NHL’s all-time greats, reaching the vaunted 1,000-point milestone in historic fashion. The Edmonton Oilers captain became the 99th player in league history to hit quadruple digits in points, and he did it at a pace rivaled only by a select few legends.
Joining Elite Company
On Thursday night against the Nashville Predators, McDavid achieved the 1,000-point milestone at the 2:44 mark of the second period. His snipe came off a slick feed from long-time teammate Leon Draisaitl, as the dynamic duo combined for the historic moment.
The 27-year-old center is just the fourth player to hit 1,000 points while suiting up for the Oilers, joining the ranks of Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and the legendary Wayne Gretzky. However, McDavid’s rise to this elite status has occurred at an accelerated rate.
A Generational Talent
McDavid reached the milestone in his 659th NHL game, making him the fourth-fastest player in league history to hit quadruple digits in points. Only Gretzky (424 games), Mario Lemieux (513), and Mike Bossy (656) accomplished the feat quicker than the Oilers’ captain.
“It’s an insane accomplishment,” said teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “To be the fourth fastest in NHL history in an era he’s played in is legendary; it’s remarkable.” Indeed, McDavid’s torrid pace is a testament to his generational talent. The first overall pick in the 2015 draft, he’s wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the greatest players of his era.
Unparalleled Achievements
In his 10 NHL seasons, McDavid has already compiled an astounding resume. He has won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s scoring champion a remarkable five times, and his peers have voted him the most outstanding player on four occasions.
The Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s most valuable player, has also found its way into McDavid’s trophy case three times. And just last season, he added the Rocket Richard Trophy to his growing collection, leading the league with 64 goals.
“He’s the best in the world, and I feel like he proves it every night, taking a game over and doing it himself,” said Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm. “It’s very impressive to see that level he holds himself accountable to.”
Climbing The All-Time Ranks
With 1,000 points now under his belt, McDavid sits alongside 98 other NHL legends. He’s the 10th active player to reach quadruple digits, joining the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin.
But for a player of McDavid’s caliber, 1,000 points is merely a stepping stone. The Oilers’ superstar has his sights set on even loftier milestones, including the chance to challenge Gretzky’s all-time scoring record of 2,857 points.
“When he sits at home by himself, he’s enjoying that,” Ekholm said. “But at the same time, when he’s at the rink, it’s all about the team and how they can find wins and success, and that’s what has been so amazing about him.”
As McDavid continues his relentless march up the NHL’s all-time leaderboard, Oilers fans—and hockey fans everywhere—can’t help but be in awe of his singular talent and unparalleled achievements.
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