McDavid’s performance over the past 500 games

[Video Nasty]

Since January 5, 2018, McDavid has played 500 games. After four helpers last night, he has scored 287 goals and 536 assists for 823 points in those 500 games. That’s a 1.646 PPG for over 6 full seasons worth of games, in nearly 7 years of real-time passing, or the equivalent of a 135 point season/82 games.

He has done this while missing just 22 games during the run and while being rushed back and playing through nagging injuries during 2023-2024 in particular.

From what I can tell, like a lot of these point milestones and sustained runs of excellence, only Gretzky and Lemieux have scored more points over any 500 game stretch.

The closest players to him during this stretch are Draisaitl who has 108 fewer points while playing 17 more games. MacKinnon is the closest non-teammate, behind by 139 points while playing 22 fewer games. Panarin is next at 198 points behind while playing 8 fewer games, and Kucherov rounds out the top 5 at 207 points behind while playing 78 fewer games. Those leads range from 15-34% in total points and 13-30% in PPG.

During this close to 7 year run, he has added 1 Conn Smythe, 2 Harts, 3 Lindsays, 4 Art Rosses, 5 Hart Finalist nominations, 6 top 2 scoring finishes, and 7 top 2 PPG finishes.

Well on the way to a new Big Five.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I'm starting to think this kid is going to be pretty good

 

[Barrie22]

So he is on pace for 519 goals by the time he reaches 1000 games. Which should by the time he hits 32.

 

[CaptainShark]

I'm starting to think this kid is going to be pretty good

Nah, way too early to tell. Sample size didn’t come up during school?

 

[PaulD]

Yep. We know all of that.

I like McDavid too, and this thread title should be simply :
"Let's talk about Connor McDavid shall we"

 

[Juxta Position]

But why take a 500 game sample size when you can take a 10 game sample size at the beginning of this year that clearly shows he's washed up?

 

[filinski77]

From what I can tell, like a lot of these point milestones and sustained runs of excellence, only Gretzky and Lemieux have scored more points over any 500 game stretch.

Esposito from 09/01/1968 to 01/09/1975 = 398 goals, 866 points (500gp)

Lafleur from 11/14/1974 to 10/17/1981 = 349 goals, 824 points (500gp)

 

[TheLegend27]

Best player of the 21st century.

 

[Toby91ca]

From what I can tell, like a lot of these point milestones and sustained runs of excellence, only Gretzky and Lemieux have scored more points over any 500 game stretch.

Impressive for sure, but it wouldn't just be Gretzky and Lemieux that have more points over a 500 game stretch. I'm sure others can dig up stats, but Esposito certainly scored more than this over his best 500 game stretch.

 

[oXo Cube]

He's honestly exceeded any expectations people had for him coming into the league which doesn't even sound like it should be possible.

Those of reading this today may never see a player this good again in our lifetimes and I'm not sure a lot of us really appreciate that enough.

 

[Sol]

He’s a bum. Send him to the Kings. We might take him for 50% and a 1st.

 

[ijuka]

He's honestly exceeded any expectations people had for him coming into the league which doesn't even sound like it should be possible.

Those of reading this today may never see a player this good again in our lifetimes and I'm not sure a lot of us really appreciate that enough.

Has he actually exceeded them? When he was entering the league, I wasn't expecting him to compete equally with players like Kucherov and MacKinnon for scoring titles. There have been maybe 2 dominant seasons or so. Otherwise, he's been rather evenly matched with the top scorers, though more consistent than them.

Someone who's exceeded expectations is Draisaitl. McDavid? I don't think so.

 

[Video Nasty]

Esposito from 09/01/1968 to 01/09/1975 = 398 goals, 866 points (500gp)

Lafleur from 11/14/1974 to 10/17/1981 = 349 goals, 824 points (500gp)

Thanks for digging those up. McDavid’s run is of course more impressive, but credit where credit is due in regards to raw totals.

 

[10YearsHaveGone]

From what I can tell, like a lot of these point milestones and sustained runs of excellence, only Gretzky and Lemieux have scored more points over any 500 game stretch.

Pretty sure Phil Esposito had more points over a 500 game stretch during the late 60's to early 70's.

 

[Coffee]

The notorious Video Nasty with another great thread

 

[Romang67]

He's only 2nd in the league in playoff points since he entered the league though.*

* Kucherov, the only player ahead of him, has played 71 playoff games more.

 

[tfwnogf]

irrelevant because no cups

 

[cupface52]

Has he actually exceeded them? When he was entering the league, I wasn't expecting him to compete equally with players like Kucherov and MacKinnon for scoring titles. There have been maybe 2 dominant seasons or so. Otherwise, he's been rather evenly matched with the top scorers, though more consistent than them.

Someone who's exceeded expectations is Draisaitl. McDavid? I don't think so.

Since 2020-21, regular season
McDavid, 1.73ppg 548 points
Kucherov, 1.55ppg 360 points
Mackinnon, 1.52ppg 444 points

Playoffs
McDavid, 1.74ppg 99 points, 57gp
Kucherov, 1.26ppg 72 points, 57gp
Mackinnon, 1.24ppg 60 points, 48gp

Here's the thing, the only players that compete with McDavid, are top 4 players having career years while McDavid has poor to average years.

His expectation was being the best player in the league, not the clear cut #1, no contest, so yes he has exceeded expectations.

 

[Regal]

I know Espo had 866 in a 500 game stretch but I’m not sure anyone else besides Wayne and Mario did better

I see it’s been said already though lol

 

[Video Nasty]

Has he actually exceeded them? When he was entering the league, I wasn't expecting him to compete equally with players like Kucherov and MacKinnon for scoring titles. There have been maybe 2 dominant seasons or so. Otherwise, he's been rather evenly matched with the top scorers, though more consistent than them.

Did you read the closing statement in the original post? He’s rocketing into top 5 all-time status, where he’ll likely sit uncontested for at least four decades before someone better may or may not show up. If your expectations were higher than that, then you expected him to be Gretzky on steroids and win every single Hart and Art Ross for an entire twenty season career, and you’re existing somewhere other than reality.

 

[Zalos]

McDavid is good. I agree.

 

[WalterLundy]

Gretzky, Orr, Lemieux and McDavid in that order since expansion. It’ll be crystal clear for everyone in due time.

 

[lipstickjunkie]

Never heard of him.

 

[Old Boys Club]

his grace period is gonna be legendary. Larger than Crosbys grace period for sure

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Already top 5