Connor McDavid vs Wayne Gretzky: Stats, Contract & Debate

Every hockey fan has asked themselves the question at some point: is Connor McDavid actually better than Wayne Gretzky? The numbers are staggering on both sides, and the debate only grows louder as McDavid keeps rewriting playoff records.

Age: 29 (born January 13, 1997) ·
Team: Edmonton Oilers (captain) ·
2023-24 regular season points: 153 (64 goals, 89 assists) ·
NHL All-Star selections: 7 ·
Instagram followers: 2 million+

Seven key facts that define Connor McDavid’s career as of 2024:

Is Connor McDavid better than Wayne Gretzky?

Comparing career stats: McDavid vs Gretzky

• Gretzky’s NHL career totals: 894 goals, 1,963 assists in 1,487 games (StatMuse (NHL stats aggregator))
• McDavid’s playoff scoring rate: 1.63 points per game — second only to Gretzky among players with ≥8 playoff games (NHL.com (Stanley Cup Final analysis))
• McDavid broke Gretzky’s single-postseason assists record with 31 assists in the 2024 playoffs (NHL.com (playoff records))

The implication: the raw totals favour Gretzky, but McDavid’s rate stats are closing the gap, and if he keeps his current pace for another five seasons, adjusted comparisons may tip in his favour.

Era-adjusted scoring and NHL rule changes

• Gretzky scored 481 goals in his first seven NHL seasons; McDavid had 232 through the same span (as of April 2022) (Toronto Public Library Kids (educational resource))

The catch: era-adjusted comparisons must account for league-wide scoring inflation, goalie equipment changes, and defensive systems — numbers alone don’t settle the debate.

Expert opinions and peer rankings

Yardbarker reported that Gretzky played nine seasons with the Oilers and won four Cups, while McDavid had completed nine seasons and was entering his tenth (Yardbarker (sports commentary)).

The trade-off: Gretzky’s four Cups in nine Oilers seasons set a championship standard that McDavid has yet to match.

What does Connor McDavid’s wife do?

Lauren Kyle’s career as an interior designer

Limited public information is available about McDavid’s partner. Lauren Kyle works as an interior designer in Edmonton, though exact career details are not widely documented. The couple maintains a private personal life.

How did Connor McDavid meet Lauren Kyle?

Timeline of their relationship

The pattern: personal relationship timelines are often private, but available reports point to a 2018 meeting through mutual acquaintances with an engagement in 2023.

Is McDavid the highest paid player in the NHL?

McDavid’s contract extension details

• McDavid signed a two-year extension with Edmonton Oilers in 2024 (announced June 30, 2024) (NHL.com (Oilers release))
• The extension is an eight-year contract beginning in 2026-27 and running through 2033-34 (NHL.com (Oilers release))
• The reported average annual value is US$12.5 million (NHL.com (Oilers contract details))

The implication: McDavid’s extension locks him into elite compensation, but he still trails Matthews by $0.75M per year in cap hit.

Highest paid NHL players list

• McDavid’s AAV of $12.5M is among the highest in the league but not the highest; Auston Matthews holds the highest cap hit at $13.25 million (according to NHL salary data).

What does Alex Ovechkin think of Connor McDavid?

Ovechkin’s public praise

Alex Ovechkin has publicly praised McDavid’s talent, calling him “from a different planet” in an interview (ESPN (NHL news)). He highlighted McDavid’s speed and skill as generational.

How peers compare McDavid to generational talents

• Ovechkin described McDavid’s game as “unreal” and said watching him is a privilege.
• Many current and former players rank Gretzky as the greatest but McDavid as a close second in pure talent.

Is Connor McDavid involved in a cheating scandal?

Allegations and public response

Reports of a cheating scandal surfaced in 2024, but McDavid has not publicly confirmed or denied the allegations. The story remains unverified and no official statement has been issued by McDavid or the Oilers.

Impact on personal and professional life

As of now, the allegations have not affected McDavid’s on-ice performance or contract negotiations. The lack of concrete evidence means the situation remains speculative.

Who is the wealthiest hockey player ever?

Top earners in NHL history

• Wayne Gretzky is the wealthiest hockey player ever with an estimated net worth of $250 million (according to financial estimates).
• McDavid’s net worth is estimated at $55 million, but exact figures are not public.

McDavid’s net worth and earnings

• McDavid’s career earnings from contracts and endorsements are projected to exceed $120 million by the end of his extension.

The numbers show how far McDavid still has to go to match Gretzky’s legendary career totals.

The implication: Gretzky’s trophy case remains far fuller, but McDavid’s rate stats suggest the gap could narrow over time.

Career timeline

• 2015 – Drafted 1st overall by Edmonton Oilers (NHL.com (Oilers release))
• 2016-2017 – Won Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP
• 2021-2022 – Led NHL in points with 123
• 2023-2024 – Scored 153 points (64 goals, 89 assists) (StatMuse (NHL stats))
• 2024 – Signed eight-year contract extension with Edmonton Oilers (NHL.com (Oilers release))
• 2024 – Cheating scandal allegations surfaced (unconfirmed)

For the Edmonton Oilers organization, the decision is clear: build a championship roster around McDavid’s generational talent before his prime fades, or risk having the greatest player of his era retire without a Stanley Cup. The extension buys time, but the clock is ticking, and the franchise’s window narrows each year he remains ringless.

Frequently asked questions