One a team level, which is really what matters most, the reality is that it's going to be tough for Connor McDavid to equal Wayne Getzky's haul of four Stanley Cups. Although to be honest, at this point we figure McDavid just wants to be able to say he won it at least once!
However, this doesn't change the fact number 97 is a generational talent and still the best player in the game today. By extension, he is making a run at a whole plethora of Oilers team records.
For example, the 27-year-old has so far won five Art Ross Trophies, which is two behind how many Gretzky won with the Oilers. (Of note, the Great One won an NHL record 10 overall.) McDavid is even closer to Gretzky when it comes to Ted Lindsay Awards, only trailing the legend four trophies to five.
McDavid already an Oilers legend
In terms of actual statistics, McDavid is second to Gretzky all-time, with 651 career assists for the Oilers at the time of writing. However, he has quite some way to catch number 99, who accrued 1,086 total helpers in Edmonton.
For overall points, McDavid is fourth all-time with 987 -- again at the time of writing -- needing 56 to catch Jari Kurri for second all-time in Oilers history. However, it's a sobering thought to think it's going to take a long time yet to catch Gretzky's team record of 1,669 total points.
The point is though, that the 2015 first overall draft pick is making excellent progress on his assault of the team's record books. Which brings us to yet another one he is edging towards, but with the difference that it's not Gretzky who he's trailing for once.
Another Oilers record well within reach
On Thursday evening in Nashville, McDavid scored his first goal of the 2024-25 season, on the way to helping the Oilers secure a 4-2 win against the Predators. With his goal being the team's third of the game, it turned out to double as the game-winner for the visitors.
This represented the 70th game-winner of the seven-time All-Star's NHL career. This means he is now just two back of the most ever game-winners in Oilers history.
Giving due credit to Preston Hodgkinson of the Daily Hive, that record of 72 game-winners is currently held by Glenn Anderson. This is an impressive accomplishment for Anderson, although to provide some context he played 845 career games for the Oilers, while McDavid sits on 650 appearances five games into the 2024-25 campaign.
Going down the list, as per NHL.com, McDavid's teammate Leon Draisaitl is in third place on 62 game-winners, in 724 games. A slight surprise is that Gretzky is 'only' in fourth place, with 61 game-winners in 696 games.
There seems little doubt McDavid will become the Oilers' all-time record holder in this category at some point in the future (likely sooner than later). However, while this will only further enhance his status and reputation in Edmonton, it won't mean much to him if he doesn't get his hands on at least one Stanley Cup.