It seems hard to believe, but Connor McDavid is entering is 10th season in the NHL. You shouldn’t need anyone to tell you that he’s the best player in the world, but we’re about to get another reminder of just how special he is.
View the original article to see embedded media.
McDavid enters this season with 982 career points, just 18 away from 1000. With only 645 games played for his career, that gives McDavid a chance to become the third-fastest player ever to reach that milestone. Wayne Gretzky (424 games) and Mario Lemieux (513 games) are, of course, numbers one and two on that list.
Mike Bossy is currently the third-fastest player to 1000 points, doing so in 656 games. Peter Stastny is fourth, reaching the milestone in his 682nd game. Considering McDavid’s rate of production over his career, he’s basically locked into either third or fourth place. How likely is he to beat Bossy?
” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uIoqXcPbmcgselcwFNhFKg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_hockey_news_edmonton_oilers_articles_905/b87905db44434e12098eb317d31303a3″ class=”caas-img”>
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
McDavid’s career points per game is a shade over 1.5. That would get him to 1000 points in the 12th game of the season and 657th game of his career, just barely missing out on passing Bossy.
But as special as 1.5 career points per game is — and it is, it’s the third highest PPG of all time between Lemieux and Bossy — it undersells McDavid’s talent. Over the past four seasons, his PPG has jumped up to 1.74. At that pace, he’d reach 1000 points in game 11, and probably add number 1001 to his total later that night. Tying Bossy is great, but since we’re so close, I think we can do better. McDavid certainly can.
Just last season, McDavid had 36 overlapping 10-game spans in which he scored at least 18 points. He scored 25 points in 10 games five times, with three overlapping spans in December along with his record-setting February and electric March. He had 23 assists alone in 10 games in February!
Over his four-year peak, he’s picked up 117 overlapping 10-game spans with 18 points. This is all to say that it’s extremely plausible that he notches his 1000th point before game 656.
The team’s early schedule matters, too. The Oilers take on good teams in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Dallas, and Carolina within the first ten games — not easy teams to compile points against.
That being said, welcoming Chicago, Calgary, and Philadelphia to Rogers Place in the span of four days looks like a great opportunity for McDavid to make his run at 1000. Games 10 and 11 come in a back-to-back in Detroit and Columbus, where McDavid will have his last chance at beating or tying Mike Bossy.
Considering his recent comments that training too hard in the offseason led to his slow start last season, it’s safe to assume McDavid will be fully ready and raring to go this October.
Over his nine years in Edmonton, Connor McDavid has done so many ridiculous things that it’s easy to forget just how historically good he is. Now, on the doorstep of yet another milestone, he’ll get another chance to show us that he truly is a top-five player of all time.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews or any other updates on the Oilers.
Related: New Strategy Will Help Oilers With Bouchard
Related: Oilers’ Have Big Steal On Their Blueline
Related: Oilers Have Huge Interest From Free Agent
Related: Former Oiler Has Surprisingly Special Start
Related: Wife of Former Oilers Forward Ending Marriage
Related: Oilers Have Exciting New Trade Options With Flames
Related: Insider Shares Big McDavid Contract Update
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
