Three locks to be added to the Oilers’ Hall of Fame and three sleeper picks

McDavid currently ranks fourth in Oilers history in regular-season points, with 982 and it’s truly remarkable that he’s on track to hit the 1,000-point milestone in his upcoming tenth season. With that being said, using the NHL’s record site, here’s a look at his rankings in other categories within the organization:

— Franchise leader with most overtime goals scored (16) and points (35).
— Second on the Oilers’ all-time game-winning goal list (69), likely to surpass Glen Anderson’s 72 this upcoming season.
— Second among Oilers for the most 100-point seasons (7).
— Second most multi-point games (300), tying Mark Messier for that achievement in 206 fewer games.
— Third for most consecutive 100-point seasons (4) and can tie Kurri for second place next season.
— Third for the most game-winning goals in a season (9).
— Fifth on the Oilers’ all-time playoff points list (117 points).
— Fifth most hat tricks for the Oilers (12).

Adding to that, considering the high scoring of the 80s compared to today’s hockey, it’s incredible that he ranks second among Oilers for the most 100-point seasons with seven. The fact that he’s very likely to surpass Gretzky’s nine in the next few seasons is mind-blowing to think about.

Leon Draisaitl – A Lock for Oilers’ Hall of Fame Someday

Just like McDavid, Leon Draisaitl is also likely going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame one day. His notable achievements include winning the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Trophy, as well as being one of the best playoff performers in NHL history.

It’s also a sure thing that he’ll end up in the Oilers’ Hall of Fame once they hang his #28 banner to the rafters. With that in mind, here’s a look at where the German superstar ranks among Oilers’ all-time stats:

— All-time leader in power-play goals (146), surpassing Ryan Smyth last October.
— Tied with Gretzky for third place for most game-winning goals (61) and should surpass him this upcoming season.
— Second in franchise history for overtime points (34).
— Fifth in all-time goals scored (347), with a chance to move into fourth by surpassing Messier.
— Fourth in most 100-point seasons (5).
— Third for most 50-goal seasons (3), behind Kurri (4) and Gretzky (8).
— Sixth in most hat tricks scored (8).
— Ninth for most regular season games played (719), with a chance to move into the #6 spot by passing Shawn Horcoff if he plays the full 2024-25 season.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – A Lock for Oilers’ Hall of Fame Someday

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the former first overall pick from the 2011 NHL Draft, is currently the longest-serving Oiler. He ranks seventh on the franchise’s all-time points list with 699 points and sits 11th in playoff points with 61.

It’s uncertain whether his #93 will be raised to the rafters in Oil Country one day, but there’s no doubt that if he continues on his current trajectory, he’ll eventually be inducted into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame, given his rankings in various Oilers’ statistical categories.

In addition, Nugent-Hopkins currently ranks 9th on the Oilers’ all-time power-play goals list with 70 tallies and needs just five more to surpass Craig Simpson and he also sits 8th with 31 game-winning goals. Additionally, ‘The Nuge’ is third in all-time regular season games played for the Oilers with 881 games.

On that note, he needs 90 more games to surpass Smyth for the #2 spot in most regular season games played, and 156 more games to overtake Lowe for the #1 spot. Given that his contract runs through the 2028-29 season, he’ll likely set the record for the most games played by an Oiler, if he remains with the team.

Evan Bouchard – Sleeper Pick for Oilers’ Hall of Fame Someday

Evan Bouchard’s current contract expires after next season, and one of the several significant priorities for new GM Stan Bowman will be to lock him up long-term.

With his outstanding playoff run last season, leading all blueliners with 32 points and breaking the record for most assists by a D-man, he should be a well-known name in every hockey household by now. He currently ranks 12th all-time in Oilers’ playoff points with 58 in 53 postseason games. By the end of next season, he could break into the top ten in playoff points if he records at least ten more points.

Additionally, after his incredible 82-point campaign last regular season, Bouchard now sits at 8th all-time in points by an Oilers defenceman with 174 points and given his current trajectory, he’s an excellent candidate to one day be inducted into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame.

If he maintains his current pace and stays with the Oilers long term, it’s not unrealistic to think he could surpass his current assistant coach, Paul Coffey’s 669 points, and claim the top spot for all-time points by an Oilers blueliner.

Stuart Skinner – Sleeper Pick for Oilers’ Hall of Fame Someday

Goaltender Stuart Skinner has only played two full seasons with the Oilers, yet in that short span, he has already climbed to ninth place on the team’s all-time wins list for goalies. Additionally, he has a chance to surpass former Oiler Cam Talbot and claim the number-five spot if he wins at least 33 games next season.

If he continues his upward trajectory, he has a chance to break many of the Oilers’ goalie records, making him a strong candidate for induction into their Hall of Fame one day. Additionally, he already holds several Oilers records currently, including the longest winning streak by a rookie (6 games) and the longest winning streak by an Oilers’ netminder (12 games), which he achieved last December.

Also, Skinner currently has the third-highest save percentage of any Oilers netminder with at least 100 games played, at .909 SV%, and his 2.69 goals-against average (GAA) ranks second all-time, behind Tommy Salo’s 2.44 GAA.

Overall, Grant Fuhr holds the record for the most regular season wins in Oilers history with 226. At just 25 years old, Skinner could potentially surpass that mark in his early 30s, provided he remains with the team long enough.

Darnell Nurse – Sleeper Pick for Oilers’ Hall of Fame Someday

While Darnell Nurse might be the biggest sleeper pick among the six players featured in this write-up for potential induction into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame, the former seventh overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft currently ranks 18th in franchise history for most regular season games played, with 640. That said, he could break into the top 10 for games played if he plays a full 82-game season in 2024-25.

Nurse currently ranks fourth all-time in Oilers’ points by a D-man (267) and could potentially move up to third place, by surpassing Huddy’s 368 points, within a couple of seasons. Moreover, the blueliner is ranked 33rd on the Oilers’ all-time playoff points list with 21 points and could move into the top 25 by the end of next season if he records nine or more points in the playoffs.

Nurse’s contract, often viewed as overpaid, makes it difficult for some to see him as a potential Oilers’ all-time great. Despite this, with five more seasons remaining on his contract, he could finish his career within the top three for most games played by an Oiler, which might lead to his eventual inclusion in the Oilers’ Hall of Fame.

Without a doubt, McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins are locks to one day be inducted into the Oilers’ Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts on Bouchard, Skinner, or Nurse potentially joining them on that list someday?