Oilers star McDavid joins exclusive group with 100-assist season
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid recorded his 100th assist of the season Monday night in a 9-2 rout of the San Jose Sharks, joining an exclusive club.
It’s a feat that has been achieved by only three other players – arguably three of the best in NHL history.
McDavid, who was in his first game back from a three-game absence for a lower-body injury, joined Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux in the 100-assist club by setting up Zach Hyman’s 54th goal of the season to give Edmonton a 9-1 lead.
The reigning NHL MVP hit the milestone on a night when Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov recorded his 99th assist in a loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He has one game left.
Gretzky, the game’s all-time leading scorer, recorded at least 100 assists 11 times. He holds the single-season record with 163 in 1985-86 and was the last player before McDavid to hit the milestone, with 121 assists in 1990-91.
Lemieux and Orr hit 100 assists once each. Lemieux, a six-time scoring champ, recorded 114 in 1988-89. Orr, who was named the game’s best defenseman in eight of his nine full seasons, had 102 in 1970-71.
And now McDavid has done it. It’s just the latest incredible milestone for 2015’s No. 1 overall pick.
McDavid himself is on a trajectory to be one of the best players the game has ever seen. Still just 27 years old, he is already a three-time MVP (he also was voted MVP by his fellow players) and led the NHL in scoring five times in his first eight seasons.
Last season, McDavid shattered the salary cap-era points record with 153 as he led the NHL in both goals (64) and assists (89). He’s at 132 points this season with two games left.