Most Assists in a Single NHL Season

Most assists in a single NHL season is one of the cleanest ways to measure elite playmaking. Goals get the loudest reaction, but assists show who controlled the puck, created chances, manipulated defenses and made teammates better every night.

This is a stats-based tier list, not a subjective greatest-player ranking. The tier placement is based on assists in one NHL season. That is why Wayne Gretzky stands alone in Tier 1 with 163 assists in 1985-86, while several other Gretzky seasons fill the next tiers.

Single-season assists decide the tier placement. The write-ups add context for goals, total points, team strength, power-play usage, linemates, era, awards, playoff impact and overall legacy. That distinction matters because a pure assists leaderboard is different from a ranking of the greatest hockey players ever.

The result is basically a monument to Gretzky’s playmaking dominance. He appears 11 times on this graphic, including the top six assist seasons in NHL history. Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid are the non-Gretzky names who break through, which says a lot about how rare this level of playmaking really is.

Single-Season NHL Assists Leaderboard Table

Note: This table is ranked by single-season NHL assists. The tiers group seasons by assist range, while the exact rank and total come from the all-time single-season assist leaderboard.

How We Ranked the Most Assists in a Single NHL Season

This list is ranked by single-season NHL assists. The tier cutoffs are based on the assist ranges shown in the graphic: 160-plus, 150-plus, 140-plus, 130-plus, 120-plus, 110-plus and 98-plus assists.

Assists are not the only way to judge an offensive season, but they reveal something important. A player has to control possession, read defensive structure, create passing lanes, run the power play and consistently turn teammates into scoring threats.

Era context matters too. Wayne Gretzky’s 1980s seasons came in a high-scoring environment, but nobody else came close to matching his assist ceiling. Bobby Orr’s 102 assists as a defenseman are historically wild. Kucherov and McDavid reaching 100 assists in 2023-24 shows how rare elite playmaking remains across eras.

For a broader hockey-history ranking that weighs all-around scoring, peak dominance, awards, championships and career legacy more heavily, check out our other NHL rankings and hockey history breakdowns.

Tier 1: 160+ Assists

Tier 1 includes Wayne Gretzky with 163 assists in 1986.

Tier 1 belongs to one player only. Wayne Gretzky’s 163-assist season remains the highest single-season assist total in NHL history.

Wayne Gretzky — 1985-86

Season stats/accolades: 163 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 52 goals, 215 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, NHL single-season points record.

Wayne Gretzky’s 1985-86 season is the ultimate playmaking season. The 163 assists alone would have led the NHL in points in most seasons. That is how absurd this number is.

Gretzky controlled the game like nobody else. He could slow the play down, find open ice before it existed and deliver passes through seams that most players never saw. This was not just elite passing. It was hockey vision at a record-breaking level.

Tier 2: 150+ Assists

Tier 2 covers the 150+ assist range.

Tier 2 is empty, and that says everything about Gretzky’s record. Nobody else shown reaches the 150-assist range.

The gap between 163 assists and the next tier is massive. In modern hockey, 100 assists is historic. Gretzky was more than 60 assists beyond that line in 1985-86.

Tier 3: 140+ Assists

Tier 3 covers the 140+ assist range.

Tier 3 is also empty. That empty space helps show just how far above the field Gretzky’s 163-assist season sits.

Even Gretzky himself does not have another season in this range. His next-best assist season lands at 135, which is still ridiculous but far below the record.

Tier 4: 130+ Assists

Tier 4 includes Wayne Gretzky with 135 assists in 1985.

Tier 4 belongs to another Gretzky masterpiece. In 1984-85, he reached 135 assists while still scoring 73 goals.

Wayne Gretzky — 1984-85

Season stats/accolades: 135 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 73 goals, 208 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Stanley Cup season.

Gretzky’s 1984-85 season is one of the greatest offensive seasons ever. The assists were historic, but the full season was even more complete because he also scored 73 goals.

This was prime Edmonton Oilers hockey: speed, skill, constant pressure and Gretzky running the entire attack. He was not only feeding teammates. He was controlling the rhythm of the best offense in the sport.

Tier 5: 120+ Assists

Tier 5 includes Wayne Gretzky with 125, 122, 121, and 120 assists in different NHL seasons.

Tier 5 is all Gretzky again. Four different seasons above 120 assists tells the story better than any opinion could.

Wayne Gretzky — 1982-83

Season stats/accolades: 125 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 71 goals, 196 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy.

Gretzky’s 1982-83 season was another video-game stat line. He finished with 125 assists and still scored 71 goals, which means he was dominating both sides of the offensive equation.

The Oilers were becoming a full offensive machine, and Gretzky was the system. He created transition chances, power-play chances, tap-ins, rush goals and constant pressure.

Wayne Gretzky — 1990-91

Season stats/accolades: 122 assists, Los Angeles Kings, 41 goals, 163 points, Art Ross Trophy.

Gretzky’s 1990-91 season is important because it came in Los Angeles, not Edmonton. That matters. It showed his playmaking was not just a product of one dynasty environment.

With the Kings, Gretzky still controlled the league offensively. He reached 122 assists and helped grow hockey’s profile in California while continuing to post numbers almost nobody else could touch.

Wayne Gretzky — 1986-87

Season stats/accolades: 121 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 62 goals, 183 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Stanley Cup season.

Gretzky’s 1986-87 season was another championship-level playmaking clinic. He had 121 assists and still scored 62 goals, giving Edmonton the kind of offensive engine that could overwhelm any opponent.

This season also shows the absurd consistency of his peak. For most players, 121 assists would be the achievement of a lifetime. For Gretzky, it was one of several seasons in the same neighborhood.

Wayne Gretzky — 1981-82

Season stats/accolades: 120 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 92 goals, 212 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, NHL single-season goals record.

Gretzky’s 1981-82 season is famous for the 92 goals, but the 120 assists might be just as ridiculous. He broke the goal record while still creating more goals for teammates than almost anyone in history.

That is what makes Gretzky different. He was not a scorer who occasionally passed or a passer who rarely shot. He was both at the highest level, at the same time.

Tier 6: 110+ Assists

Tier 6 includes Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux with 110+ assists.

Tier 6 is the 110-plus assist range. It includes two more Gretzky seasons and one of Mario Lemieux’s greatest playmaking years.

Wayne Gretzky — 1983-84

Season stats/accolades: 118 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 87 goals, 205 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Stanley Cup season.

Gretzky’s 1983-84 season combined 118 assists with 87 goals. That is almost impossible to process normally. He was creating at an all-time level while also scoring at an all-time level.

This was also the season Edmonton won its first Stanley Cup. Gretzky was not just piling up regular-season numbers. He was leading a dynasty into its championship window.

Wayne Gretzky — 1988-89

Season stats/accolades: 114 assists, Los Angeles Kings, 54 goals, 168 points, Hart Trophy.

Gretzky’s first season with the Kings was one of the biggest turning points in hockey history. On the ice, he immediately delivered 114 assists and 168 points.

The production proved his game traveled. New team, new market, new pressure, same playmaking genius. Gretzky gave Los Angeles instant credibility and kept producing like the best player in the world.

Mario Lemieux — 1988-89

Season stats/accolades: 114 assists, Pittsburgh Penguins, 85 goals, 199 points, Art Ross Trophy.

Mario Lemieux’s 1988-89 season is one of the few non-Gretzky seasons that truly belongs in the same offensive conversation. He had 114 assists and 85 goals, finishing with 199 points.

Lemieux’s playmaking looked different from Gretzky’s. He used size, reach, hands and patience to hold defenders off and create openings. When healthy, his offensive ceiling was unbelievable.

Tier 7: 98+ Assists

Tier 7 includes Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, and Mario Lemieux with 98+ assists.

Tier 7 is the 98-plus assist range. This tier includes more Gretzky brilliance, Bobby Orr’s historic defenseman season and modern 100-assist seasons from Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid.

Wayne Gretzky — 1980-81

Season stats/accolades: 109 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 55 goals, 164 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy.

Gretzky’s 1980-81 season was one of the early signs that the NHL record book was about to change completely. He reached 109 assists before his most famous scoring seasons even arrived.

This was still a young Gretzky, but the vision was already fully formed. He saw the ice faster than everyone else and forced defenders to react to plays he had already planned two passes earlier.

Wayne Gretzky — 1987-88

Season stats/accolades: 109 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 40 goals, 149 points.

Gretzky’s 1987-88 season was his final regular season with Edmonton, and he still produced 109 assists. Even with a lower goal total by his standards, the playmaking remained elite.

The Oilers were still loaded, and Gretzky kept feeding that machine. This season closes the Edmonton chapter of his regular-season assist dominance before the move to Los Angeles.

Bobby Orr — 1970-71

Season stats/accolades: 102 assists, Boston Bruins, 37 goals, 139 points, Norris Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy.

Bobby Orr’s 1970-71 season is one of the most historic seasons by any defenseman ever. A defenseman reaching 102 assists is still outrageous.

Orr changed what the position could be. He carried the puck, controlled tempo, joined the rush and created offense like a forward while still playing defense. This season remains one of the strongest arguments for his all-time greatness.

Wayne Gretzky — 1989-90

Season stats/accolades: 102 assists, Los Angeles Kings, 40 goals, 142 points, Art Ross Trophy.

Gretzky’s 1989-90 season gave the Kings another 100-plus assist campaign. By this point, the expectation had become unfair: if Gretzky did not produce a historic playmaking season, people treated it like something was wrong.

He still controlled games with passing angles, patience and timing. Even outside the Edmonton dynasty, he kept turning Los Angeles into one of the NHL’s most watched teams.

Nikita Kucherov — 2023-24

Season stats/accolades: 100 assists, Tampa Bay Lightning, 44 goals, 144 points, Art Ross Trophy.

Nikita Kucherov’s 2023-24 season was one of the greatest modern playmaking seasons. Reaching 100 assists in today’s NHL is extremely rare, and Kucherov did it while also scoring 44 goals.

His patience on the puck, east-west passing, power-play control and ability to manipulate defenders made him Tampa Bay’s offensive engine. This was not just a high-assist season. It was a full offensive takeover.

Connor McDavid — 2023-24

Season stats/accolades: 100 assists, Edmonton Oilers, 32 goals, 132 points, one of the few 100-assist seasons in NHL history.

Connor McDavid’s 2023-24 season added another modern entry to the 100-assist club. His speed changes every defensive structure, but this season showed just how advanced his passing game has become.

McDavid can beat teams by skating through them, but he can also force defenders to collapse and then find teammates in perfect scoring spots. Reaching 100 assists puts his playmaking in historic company.

Mario Lemieux — 1987-88

Season stats/accolades: 98 assists, Pittsburgh Penguins, 70 goals, 168 points, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy.

Mario Lemieux’s 1987-88 season closes the graphic with 98 assists, but the full context is bigger. He also scored 70 goals, which made this one of the most complete offensive seasons in NHL history.

Lemieux had the rare ability to dominate as both a finisher and a creator. His size and hands gave him passing windows most players could never access. Ninety-eight assists is elite on its own; paired with 70 goals, it becomes ridiculous.

FAQ: Most Assists in a Single NHL Season

Who has the most assists in a single NHL season?

Wayne Gretzky has the most assists in a single NHL season with 163 assists for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985-86.

Who is second in single-season NHL assists?

Wayne Gretzky is second as well, with 135 assists for the Edmonton Oilers in 1984-85.

Why are Tier 2 and Tier 3 empty?

Tier 2 represents the 150-plus assist range and Tier 3 represents the 140-plus assist range. No player shown in the graphic falls into either range.

Which non-Gretzky players appear on this assists list?

Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid are the non-Gretzky players shown on this single-season assists tier list.

Which defenseman appears on the single-season assists list?

Bobby Orr appears with 102 assists for the Boston Bruins in 1970-71.

Which modern NHL players reached 100 assists?

Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid both reached 100 assists in the 2023-24 NHL season.

How many times does Wayne Gretzky appear on this graphic?

Wayne Gretzky appears 11 times on this single-season assists graphic.

Has anyone had 160 assists in an NHL season?

Yes. Wayne Gretzky had 163 assists in 1985-86, the only 160-assist season shown on this graphic.

What matters most in this tier list?

The tier placement is based on single-season NHL assist totals. The write-ups add context about era, team, scoring style, awards and overall offensive impact.

Conclusion

The most assists in a single NHL season list is basically a monument to Wayne Gretzky’s playmaking dominance. His 163-assist season in 1985-86 stands alone, and the empty 150-plus and 140-plus tiers show how far ahead that record remains.

Gretzky also owns the next several tiers, including 135 assists in 1984-85 and four different seasons above 120 assists. That level of repeated playmaking is why his offensive records still feel almost untouchable.

The non-Gretzky names make the list even more interesting. Mario Lemieux brought a different kind of playmaking dominance, Bobby Orr changed what a defenseman could do offensively, and Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid reaching 100 assists in 2023-24 gave modern hockey its own historic playmaking moment.

Single-season assist records are special because they demand vision, patience, skill and trust from teammates. The players on this list did not just pass the puck. They controlled games, shaped offenses and created seasons that still define the highest level of NHL playmaking.

If you want more all-time hockey and NHL tier lists, you can also check out our Top 10 Fastest Players in NHL History rankings and other positional breakdowns across sports history.

More NHL All-Time Rankings

For more NHL history content, check out our other all-time position rankings, franchise legend lists and historical tier lists. This single-season assists ranking is part of a larger all-time NHL rankings series built around player legacy, peak dominance, production and era context. You can also follow SOG Hockey on Instagram for more NHL rankings, debates and hockey history content.