One of the common traits you'll see amongst the best players in National Hockey League history is a level of disregard for personal statistics or awards. Hockey, at its best and worst moments, is a team sport, and the Edmonton Oilers, led by the generational talent that is Connor McDavid, care about winning as a team. But that doesn't mean that, as fans, we can celebrate players' individual achievements over the course of the season. Here are a few things that may come to pass in 2026-27:
Games played
While total games played seems like a simple enough task, merely requiring players to dress for enough games, there is an element of luck and durability that comes in, especially as players age and the milestones are larger numbers.
Players who can achieve notable total games in 2026-27:
- Connor McDavid - 800 games played. He currently sits at 794.
- Leon Draisaitl - 900 games played. Sitting at 855.
- Evan Bouchard - 500 games played. Bouch needs to stay healthy, but he's only 71 away.
- Mattias Ekholm - 1000 games! Ekholm sits at 966 total games for his career.
Career points
Guys like McDavid and Draisaitl have been a virtual lock for 100 point seasons. Each of them is likely to hit the next number ending in 00s this year, but additionally, these players have milestones within sight:
- Zach Hyman - 500 career points. This should happen early in the year, Hyman is at 495.
- Vasily Podkolzin - 100 career points. Podkolzin needs only four points to hit the century mark.
- Evan Bouchard - 400 points. This would be out of reach for most defenders, but Bouchard is capable of getting the 67 points he needs, with a comfortable buffer.
Career Goals
The Oilers need to win more games this year, and scoring goals is sure to help with that aim. Notable goal totals that might be reached this season:
- Ryan Nugent Hopkins - 300 career goals. Nuge sits at 291, and we can expect McDavid to feed him as he gets closer to the milestone.
- Mattias Ekholm - 100 goals. Ekholm would need a bit of puck luck to score the eight tallies required to reach 100, but he's managed that total six times in his career, including twice as an Oiler
- Zach Hyman - 300 career goals. Another stretch, but Hyman needs 39 goals to get there, and he managed 31 in 58 games last season.
Speaking of stretch goals, there's a universe out there where Tristan Jarry rediscovers himself and gets the 30 wins he needs to reach 200 for his career. Devon Levi needs 33 to hit the 50 win mark himself, which one do you think is more likely?
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