Oilers' Connor McDavid Enters Record Book Behind Wayne Gretsky

This production by McDavid is extraordinary. As Friesen's list shows, McDavid has surpassed the marks of the top players of his era. Pittsburgh Penguins captain and future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby collected 88 assists before his 29th birthday. Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov, one of the best playmakers of this era, was the next closest active player. He posted 100 assists before turning 29.

What makes McDavid's production even more impressive is how much of it has come over the last four postseasons. During the Oilers' first few trips to the postseason with McDavid and company, he was not nearly as productive. Through the first 21 playoff games of his career, he recorded a measly 11 assists, but in the following 75 games, he's recorded a whopping 95 helpers. It's no surprise that the Oilers' postseason success has improved as McDavid's production has.

McDavid's 106 assists may be 82 short of Gretzky's, but the fact that he's the next closest is the most impressive part. The records that Gretzky accumulated feel untouchable, but the work of some modern-era players has chipped away at that notion. Alex Ovechkin finally broke the all-time goal-scoring record last season, a record many thought was unreachable. McDavid might not be able to surpass Gretzky's postseason assist record before he turns 29, but he's shown he is the next closest thing.