Wayne Gretzky isn’t just the greatest player in Edmonton Oilers history — he’s the greatest in NHL history. From the moment he arrived in Edmonton, Gretzky redefined what was possible in hockey. His records aren’t just numbers; they are milestones that showcase how far ahead of his time he truly was. Many of these marks are considered unbreakable, even in today’s faster, more skilled NHL.
Gretzky’s Oilers Franchise Records
Even though he played only nine seasons in Edmonton, Gretzky still owns an astonishing set of team records:
• Most points in Oilers history: 1,669
• Most goals in Oilers history: 583
• Most assists in Oilers history: 1,086
• Most points in a single season: 215 (1985–86)
• Most goals in a single season: 92 (1981–82)
• Most assists in a single season: 163 (1985–86)
• Fastest to 50 goals: 39 games (1981–82) – still the NHL’s fastest 50
• Four straight 60+ goal seasons (1981–85)
NHL Records That Belong to Gretzky
Gretzky’s dominance stretched beyond Edmonton and still anchors the NHL record book:
• Career assists: 1,963
• Career points: 2,857
• Most 100+ point seasons: 15 (including 13 straight)
• Most consecutive 60-goal seasons: 4
• Most goals in a season: 92 (1981–82)
• Most points in a season: 215 (1985–86)
• Most assists in a season: 163 (1985–86)
Playoffs:
• Most career playoff points: 382
• Most career playoff assists: 260
• Most points in a single postseason: 47 (1985)
Why These Records Are Untouchable
Gretzky’s dominance came during a higher-scoring era, but even with that context, his numbers are staggering.
• 92 goals / 215 points in one season: These are outliers even by 1980s standards. In the modern game, 60 goals or 120–130 points is a historic season.
• Career assists (1,963): His assists alone would still make him the NHL’s all-time leading scorer.
• Career points (2,857): No active player is remotely close.
• Fastest 50 (39 games): With today’s parity and goaltending, this might be the safest record of all.
• Playoff production: Tighter systems and shorter dynasties make chasing 382 playoff points unrealistic.
Trophy Case With the Oilers
• Hart Trophy (MVP): 9 total, 8 with Edmonton — most with one team
• Art Ross (scoring leader): 10 total, 7 with Edmonton — most with one team
• Ted Lindsay (players’ MVP): 5, all with Edmonton
• Consistency markers: 4 straight 60-goal seasons, 13 straight 100-point seasons, two 10-hat-trick seasons, and huge multi-assist game totals (12 games with 4+ assists in 1985–86; career: 575 with 2+, 224 with 3+, 76 with 4+, 17 with 5+)
Connor McDavid and the Gretzky Standard
Connor McDavid is the modern benchmark for greatness. If he spends his entire career in Edmonton and maintains his pace, he could challenge some Oilers franchise totals. But Gretzky set nearly all of his Oilers marks in just nine seasons, while McDavid has already completed ten. Even if McDavid eventually tops some career counts, Gretzky’s single-season dominance and efficiency still feel untouchable.
The Five Gretzky Records That Will Never Be Broken
1. Career points (2,857) & career assists (1,963)
2. Single-season points — 215 (1985–86)
3. Single-season goals — 92 (1981–82)
4. 50 goals in 39 games (1981–82)
5. Playoff points — 382
Final Thoughts
Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers years set standards that remain the sport’s gold bars. From 92 goals to 215 points, and from 50 in 39 to unmatched playoff totals, these are not just stats — they’re monuments to an era and a player the game will never duplicate.
Among Gretzky’s many milestones, which one do you consider the most untouchable — and why?