Can Connor Break 2857

Comparing Wayne Gretzkys final NHL points to the potential of Connor McDaivd (2023)

On March 23, 1994, Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe's all-time NHL points record of 1,850 points. Gretzky's record-breaking point came in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, where he assisted on a goal by teammate Keith Tkachuk. Gretzky's record of 2,857 points remains unbroken to this day, and it's hard to imagine anyone ever surpassing such a monumental achievement.

But as the old adage goes, records are meant to be broken, and there's one young player in the NHL who could potentially challenge Gretzky's record: Connor McDavid.

But First McDavid's Early Career

Connor McDavid was the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, and since then, he's been making waves in the league. In his rookie season, McDavid tallied 48 points in 45 games despite missing time due to injury. He followed that up with an impressive 100-point season in 2016-2017, winning the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer.

In the four seasons since then, McDavid has averaged over 110 points per 82 games played, cementing his place as one of the league's top players. He won his second Art Ross Trophy in 2020, scoring 97 points in just 64 games before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While McDavid's point pace is impressive, it's still a far cry from Gretzky's record. At his current pace, McDavid would need to play until he's 46 years old to pass Gretzky's point total. That's a long shot, but not entirely impossible especially if he could gather more points per game through out his years.

To put it in perspective, Gretzky averaged 1.921 points per game throughout his career, while McDavid has averaged 1.367 points per game so far. If McDavid were to maintain his current pace for the next 15 seasons, he would finish his career with around 2,200 points, which would be good for third all-time behind Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr.

But maintaining that pace will be no easy feat. McDavid is only 24 years old, and while he's shown no signs of slowing down, injuries and other factors could derail his career.

Gretzky's Unmatched Legacy

Wayne Gretzky's legacy in the NHL is unparalleled. He holds over 60 records, including the most goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857) in NHL history. He won four Stanley Cups and was named the league's most valuable player nine times. He was a dominant force in the league for over two decades and remains one of the most beloved figures in the sport.

Comparing anyone to Gretzky is a daunting task, but McDavid's talent and potential have drawn comparisons to the Great One. Like Gretzky, McDavid is a dynamic playmaker with incredible speed and vision on the ice. He has the potential to be one of the all-time greats, but he still has a long way to go before he can challenge Gretzky's point record.

Conclusion

Wayne Gretzky's point record is one of the most impressive accomplishments in the history of professional sports. His dominance in the NHL was unmatched, and his legacy will endure for generations to come.

Connor McDavid has a long way to go before he can challenge Gretzky's record, he has shown the potential to be one of the all-time greats. He is still young and has many years left in his career to continue improving and putting up impressive numbers.

If McDavid is going to have a chance at surpassing Gretzky's record, he will need to stay healthy and maintain his impressive point pace. He will also need to continue playing at an elite level for many years to come, something that is easier said than done.

Regardless of whether McDavid ever breaks Gretzky's record, he has already established himself as one of the top players in the NHL. He is a generational talent with a bright future ahead of him, and fans should enjoy watching him play for years to come.

In conclusion, Wayne Gretzky's total NHL points record is one of the greatest achievements in the history of professional sports. While Connor McDavid has the potential to challenge the record, it's still a long shot. But even if McDavid doesn't break the record, he has already established himself as one of the top players in the NHL, and his future looks incredibly bright.

 One of the most impressive things about Gretzky's point record is not just the sheer number of points he accumulated but the consistency with which he did it. Gretzky had 15 seasons with over 100 points, including 13 consecutive seasons from 1979-80 to 1991-92. He also had four seasons with over 200 points, a feat that has never been matched by any other player in NHL history.

Gretzky's dominance wasn't just limited to the regular season, either. He holds several playoff records, including the most career points (382), most career goals (122), and most career assists (260).

Another thing that sets Gretzky apart from other players is his ability to make his teammates better. Gretzky had an uncanny ability to read the game and anticipate where his teammates would be, allowing him to set up countless scoring opportunities for them. He also had a work ethic and dedication to the game that was second to none.

While McDavid is still early in his career, he has already shown some similarities to Gretzky in terms of his ability to make his teammates better. McDavid is an excellent playmaker and has the vision and hockey IQ to create scoring opportunities for his linemates. He has led the league in assists for the past two seasons and has already established himself as one of the top passers in the game.

McDavid's speed and agility also set him apart from other players. He is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL and can change direction on a dime, making him nearly impossible to defend against. He uses his speed to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates and has scored some highlight-reel goals throughout his career.

But while McDavid has many of the same attributes that made Gretzky great, there are also some key differences between the two players. For one, McDavid is more of a shoot-first player than Gretzky was. Gretzky was known more for his playmaking abilities, while McDavid is a more well-rounded player who can score goals as well as set them up.

Another difference is the style of play in the NHL today versus when Gretzky played. The game has become faster and more physical, and players are more focused on defensive play. This means that it's harder for players to accumulate the same number of points that Gretzky did in his prime.

Despite these differences, there's no denying that McDavid has the potential to be one of the all-time greats. He is already one of the top players in the game, and if he can maintain his current pace, he could finish his career with over 2,000 points. While that may not be enough to surpass Gretzky's record, it's still an incredible achievement that would solidify McDavid's place in NHL history.

In conclusion, Wayne Gretzky's total NHL points record is a testament to his incredible talent, work ethic, and dedication to the game. While it's unlikely that anyone will ever break his record, players like Connor McDavid give us hope that there are still some incredible talents out there who could come close. McDavid is still young and has many years left in his career, and if he can continue playing at an elite level, he could go down as one of the all-time greats in his own right.

 One thing that is clear is that Gretzky is a big fan of McDavid's. In interviews, Gretzky has spoken highly of McDavid's talent and work ethic, and has even called him the best player in the world today. Gretzky has also served as a mentor to McDavid, offering him advice and guidance as he navigates his NHL career.

This relationship could be beneficial to McDavid as he looks to continue his pursuit of Gretzky's point record. Gretzky has been through the experience of being the top player in the league and setting records, and can offer McDavid advice on how to handle the pressure and scrutiny that comes with that. Gretzky can also provide insight into how to stay motivated and focused throughout a long career, something he did exceptionally well.

On the other hand, some have suggested that Gretzky's record could actually be a hindrance to McDavid's career. The pressure of trying to surpass Gretzky's point total could weigh heavily on McDavid, and could detract from his ability to focus on his game and improve as a player. It's also worth noting that the NHL today is a much different league than when Gretzky played, and it may be harder for players to accumulate the same number of points that he did.

Ultimately, whether or not McDavid breaks Gretzky's record will depend on a variety of factors, including his health, the length of his career, and his ability to continue improving as a player. But regardless of whether or not he breaks the record, McDavid's talent and skill are undeniable, and he is already one of the top players in the league today.

In conclusion, the relationship between Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid is an interesting one. Gretzky serves as a mentor to McDavid, offering him guidance and advice as he navigates his NHL career. However, the pressure of trying to break Gretzky's point record could also be a hindrance to McDavid, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to accomplish this feat. Regardless, McDavid's talent and skill are already on display, and he is sure to go down as one of the all-time greats in NHL history.