Connor McDavid's Hot Start


Connor McDavid is living in the 1980's. Well, at least his scoring exploits are living in the 1980's. After scoring a ridiculous 17 points in the Oilers first seven games of the season, he is producing at levels not seen in decades. He is only the third player in 30 years to collect at least 17 points in his first 7 games of the season. The other two, Wayne and Mario. Those two made a habit of storming out of the gates, Gretzky did this on 8 different occasions, while Lemieux did it 4 times. Perhaps most amazing is the fact Lemieux started the 2002/03 campaign with 16 points in his first 7 games...at age 37.

Of course, the old tale of  league-wide scoring rates rears it's head while comparing different eras. Below are the hottest starts in modern NHL history with each season's league goal scoring rate included.

 PLAYER YEAR  G-A-Pts       NHL  G/GP avg
McDavid 19/20     5-12-17              6.23

Lemieux  86/87    10-9-19                7.34
Lemieux  88/89    13-13-26              7.48
Lemieux  92/93     8-14-22               7.25
Lemieux  95/96     9-11-20               6.29
Lemieux  02/03     4-12-16               5.31

Gretzky   82/83      6-11-17                7.73
Gretzky   83/84     10-10-20               7.89
Gretzky   84/85     10-11-21               7.77
Gretzky   86/87      5-16-21                7.34
Gretzky   87/88      5-12-17                7.43
Gretzky   88/89      7-10-17                7.48
Gretzky   90/91      6-11-17                6.91
Gretzky   93/94      4-13-17                6.48

Stevens   92/93       9-9-18                  7.25

Dionne   79/80       6-13-19                 7.03

Nicholls  88/89      6-11-17                  7.48

To put it in perspective, McDavid's current output would equal Gretzky's best start of 21 in 84/85. Lemieux's best start of 26 points in 88/89 is the equivalent of 27 points in 84/85. Perhaps even more impressive, his 16 points in the height of the dead-puck era in 2002/03 translates 23 points in 7 games...again, at age 37.



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