Edmonton Oilers Franchise Records Broken by Connor McDavid

Let’s be honest, when the Edmonton Oilers drafted Connor McDavid first overall in 2015, we all knew we were getting a generational talent. But I don’t think anyone could have predicted just how quickly and how thoroughly he would rewrite the franchise’s history books. It’s been a blur of highlight-reel goals, breathtaking assists, and jaw-dropping speed, all while wearing the "C" on his chest.

This isn't just about watching a great player; it's about witnessing history in real time. McDavid isn't just chasing current opponents; he's racing past the legends who built this franchise. From regular-season dominance to playoff heroics, he has systematically dismantled records that stood for decades.

So, how do you wrap your head around all the records McDavid has broken? It can feel overwhelming. This guide is your practical checklist. We’ll walk through the key franchise records he has shattered, step-by-step, so you can appreciate the full scope of his impact on the Edmonton Oilers. Consider this your playbook to understanding the McDavid era of record-breaking.

What You Need to Follow Along

You don't need much to track this historic run, just a little context. Here’s what will help:

Basic Knowledge of Oilers History: A casual awareness of the greats like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Jari Kurri sets the stage. Their records are the benchmarks.
Access to Stat Databases: Sites like NHL.com, Hockey-Reference, or the Oilers' own stats page are your friends. We’ll point out the big ones, but you can dive deeper there.
An Understanding of Key Terms: We’ll talk about points (goals + assists), points-per-game (PPG), multi-point games, and scoring titles like the Art Ross Trophy.
Patience for the Process: Some records are single-season marks, others are career totals for the franchise. We’ll break them down into logical steps.

Ready? Let’s drop the puck and go through the records, one step at a time.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Single-Season Scoring Crown

This is where it all started to feel different. The most famous record in hockey, arguably, is the single-season points mark. For the Edmonton Oilers, that was held by the Great One himself.

The Old Record: Wayne Gretzky’s 164 points in the 1985-86 season. For over 35 years, this was considered untouchable in the modern NHL.
The McDavid Breakthrough: In the 2022-23 season, McDavid didn't just touch it—he soared past it. He finished with an astounding 153 points. While he didn't surpass Gretzky's 164, he did obliterate the modern-era franchise record. More critically, he secured his third Art Ross Trophy as the league's points leader, tying an Oilers record held by Gretzky.
Why This Matters: This season was a statement. It proved that in an era of tighter defense and elite goaltending, McDavid could produce at a level that evoked the legendary 80s Oilers. It redefined what was possible for a single player today.

For a deeper dive into the numbers behind seasons like this, check out our Connor McDavid stats analysis.

Step 2: Recognize the Assists and Playmaking Revolution

McDavid is a prolific goal-scorer, but his vision and passing might be even more destructive to record books. He redefined the standard for setting up teammates.

The Old Record: Wayne Gretzky’s 109 assists in 1985-86.
The McDavid Breakthrough: Again in 2022-23, McDavid dished out 89 assists. This shattered the "modern" Oilers record and was the highest assist total by any NHL player since 2007. He owns several of the top assist seasons in post-1990 Oilers history.
The Power Play Factor: A huge part of this is the Oilers' historically good Power Play, which runs through McDavid. He holds the franchise record for most Power Play assists and points in a single season, making the man advantage almost automatic.

Step 3: Chart the Unprecedented Point-Per-Game Dominance

Consistency is the mark of true greatness. It’s not about one big year; it’s about doing it night after night, year after year.

The Old Record: Wayne Gretzky’s career average of 2.34 points-per-game as an Oiler.
The McDavid Breakthrough: While Gretzky’s average remains otherworldly, McDavid has established a modern PPG standard that seemed impossible. He has consistently averaged well over 1.50 PPG throughout his career, a feat no other Oiler in the modern era comes close to. He holds the record for the longest point streak to start a season (17 games in 2022-23) and has multiple seasons ranking in the top 10 all-time franchise PPG lists.

Tracking this month-to-month dominance is fascinating. See how he builds these totals in our McDavid monthly performance breakdown.

Step 4: Count the Multi-Point Games and Quickest Achievements

This is where the checklist gets fun. McDavid doesn’t just score; he piles up points in bunches and reaches milestones at a breakneck pace.

Three-Point Games: McDavid rapidly climbed the franchise list for games with 3+ points. He now sits near the very top, behind only Gretzky and Messier, and is the clear leader in the modern era.
Fastest to Milestones: He became the fastest Oiler to reach 900 career points, doing so in his 602nd game—faster than Gretzky (385 games, but in a vastly higher-scoring era) when adjusted for context. He holds the record for fewest games needed to reach various point plateaus (300, 400, 500, etc.) as a member of the Oilers in the 21st century.

Step 5: Examine the Playoff Records and Legacy Building

The regular season is one thing, but legends are cemented in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. McDavid’s postseason performances are creating a new chapter.

Single-Playoff Scoring: In the 2022 run to the Western Conference Final, McDavid recorded 33 points in 16 games. This put him in the conversation for some of the most productive postseason runs in NHL history and shattered the Oilers' single-playoff record.
Career Playoff PPG: His career points-per-game in the playoffs is among the highest in NHL history, showcasing his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.
The Ultimate Goal: Every record is a stepping stone toward the one that matters most: leading the Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup. His playoff performances, especially when paired with Leon Draisaitl, show he has the capacity to carry a team on a long Stanley Cup run.

How does this playoff prowess stack up against other all-time greats? We explore that in our McDavid vs Crosby career comparison.

Step 6: Note the Trophy Case and Individual Honors

The records translate to hardware. McDavid’s personal trophy collection is already among the most impressive in franchise history.

Hart Memorial Trophies: McDavid has won the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times (2017, 2021, 2023), tying him with Gretzky for the most in Oilers history.
Art Ross Trophies: With five scoring titles (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023), he has surpassed Gretzky’s four with the Oilers for the most in franchise history. This is perhaps his most definitive record.
Ted Lindsay Awards: Voted by his peers as the most outstanding player, he has won this award four times, another franchise record.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tip: Context is Key. Always consider the era. Comparing raw point totals from the 1980s to today isn't fair. Look at league-wide scoring averages. McDavid’s dominance relative to his peers is what makes his records so impressive.
Mistake: Forgetting the Teammates. Records are rarely broken in a vacuum. The chemistry with Leon Draisaitl, the structure provided by Kris Knoblauch, and the stability from Stuart Skinner in net all create the environment for McDavid to thrive. Celebrate the individual achievement, but understand it's part of a team effort.
Tip: Watch the "Fastest To" Records. These are often the most telling. They show a relentless, season-long pace that breaks the spirit of opponents and record books alike.
Mistake: Overlooking Playoff Performance. Don't get so caught up in regular-season stats that you miss his historic playoff performances. In the postseason, he has rewritten expectations for what a single player can do in the modern game.
* Tip: Enjoy the Ride. We are in the middle of this. More records will fall. Instead of just cataloging them, appreciate the night-to-night genius that makes it happen.

Your Connor McDavid Franchise Record Checklist

Here’s your quick-reference list of the major Edmonton Oilers franchise records broken or matched by Connor McDavid:

• Most Art Ross Trophies (5): Surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s four with the Oilers.


• Modern Single-Season Points Record (153): Set in 2022-23, the highest in the post-1990 era.


• Modern Single-Season Assists Record (89): Set in 2022-23.


• Single-Season Power Play Points Record: Holds the top marks for scoring on the man advantage.


• Highest Points-Per-Game Average (Modern Era): Sustained a level of consistency unmatched by any Oiler since 1990.


• Fastest to 900 Points (as a modern Oiler): Reached the milestone in record time for the franchise in the current era.


• Most Three-Point Games (Modern Era): Leads all Oilers in the last 30+ years.


• Single-Playoff Points Record (33): Set during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.


• Tied Most Hart Memorial Trophies (3): Matched Wayne Gretzky’s franchise tally.


• Most Ted Lindsay Awards (4): Holds the franchise record.

The checklist is long, and it’s still growing. As long as Connor McDavid is wearing the Oilers crest at Rogers Place, the history books will remain a first draft. So, keep this list handy—you’ll probably need to add to it.