Most Points in a Single NHL Season

Most points in a single NHL season is one of hockey’s strongest measures of peak offensive dominance. Goals show finishing power. Assists show playmaking. Points combine everything: scoring, creating, controlling the puck and driving an offense every night.

This is a stats-based tier list, not a subjective greatest-player ranking. The tier placement is based on total points in one NHL season. That is why Wayne Gretzky owns Tier 1 with 215 points in 1985-86 and 212 points in 1981-82, while Gretzky and Mario Lemieux dominate the next several tiers.

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

The result is one of the most ridiculous record-book pages in sports. Gretzky appears 10 times on this graphic, including the top four point seasons in NHL history. Lemieux is the one player who truly breaks up the Gretzky wall near the top, while Connor McDavid’s 153-point season in 2022-23 gives modern hockey its strongest entry on the list.

Single-Season NHL Points Leaderboard Table

Note: This table is ranked by single-season NHL points. The tiers group seasons by point range, while the exact rank and total come from the all-time single-season points leaderboard. Totals are current through the 2025-26 NHL season.

How We Ranked the Most Points in a Single NHL Season

This list is ranked by single-season NHL points. The tier cutoffs are based on the point ranges shown in the graphic: 210-plus, 200-plus, 190-plus, 180-plus, 170-plus, 160-plus and 148-plus points.

Points are not the only way to judge a player, but they reveal something important. A player has to score, create, stay healthy, dominate special teams, drive possession and produce consistently across the full season to reach this kind of number.

Era context matters too. Gretzky’s 1980s seasons came in a higher-scoring environment, but nobody else came close to matching his ceiling. Lemieux’s peak was built on size, skill and unreal efficiency. McDavid’s 153-point season stands out because modern NHL scoring is much tighter than the 1980s and early 1990s.

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: 210+ Points

Tier 1 includes Wayne Gretzky with 215 points in 1986 and 212 points in 1982.

Tier 1 belongs completely to Wayne Gretzky. No other player shown reaches the 210-point range, and Gretzky did it twice.

Wayne Gretzky — 1985-86

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

Wayne Gretzky’s 1985-86 season is the highest-scoring season in NHL history. The number alone is almost hard to process: 215 points in 80 games.

The wild part is that the 163 assists by themselves would have been a historic season. Gretzky was not just scoring or passing. He was controlling the entire offensive environment, turning every shift into a scoring chance for Edmonton.

Wayne Gretzky — 1981-82

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

Gretzky’s 1981-82 season is remembered for the 92 goals, but the full 212-point season is just as ridiculous. He broke the single-season goals record while also recording 120 assists.

That is what made Gretzky different. He could be the best goal scorer and the best playmaker at the same time. Most players spend a career chasing one historic season. Gretzky had multiple seasons that looked impossible.

Tier 2: 200+ Points

Tier 2 includes Wayne Gretzky with 208 points in 1985 and 205 points in 1984.

Tier 2 is also all Gretzky. These are the other two 200-point seasons on the graphic, and both came during Edmonton’s dynasty rise.

Wayne Gretzky — 1984-85

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

Gretzky’s 1984-85 season was a complete offensive masterpiece. He scored 73 goals, added 135 assists and helped lead the Oilers to another Stanley Cup.

This was peak Edmonton hockey: speed, skill, constant pressure and Gretzky running the attack like a chessboard. A 208-point season would be the greatest offensive year ever for almost anyone else. For Gretzky, it is one of several at the very top.

Wayne Gretzky — 1983-84

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

Gretzky’s 1983-84 season combined one of the greatest goal-scoring seasons ever with one of the greatest playmaking seasons ever. Eighty-seven goals and 118 assists in the same year is absurd.

The Oilers also won their first Stanley Cup that season, which gives the production extra weight. Gretzky was not just stacking points. He was pushing Edmonton into dynasty territory.

Tier 3: 190+ Points

Tier 3 includes Mario Lemieux with 199 points in 1989 and Wayne Gretzky with 196 points in 1983.

Tier 3 finally brings in Mario Lemieux, the one player who could make the highest levels of Gretzky-era scoring feel competitive.

Mario Lemieux — 1988-89

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

Mario Lemieux’s 1988-89 season was one point away from 200. That small gap makes the season even more memorable because 199 points still stands as one of the greatest offensive campaigns ever.

Lemieux’s style was different from Gretzky’s. He used size, reach, hands and patience to control defenders physically and mentally. He could score like a power forward, pass like an elite center and dominate the game at his own pace.

Wayne Gretzky — 1982-83

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

Gretzky’s 1982-83 season was another ridiculous blend of goals and assists. He finished with 71 goals, 125 assists and 196 points.

This season sits below his 200-point campaigns, but only by Gretzky standards. For almost any other player in NHL history, 196 points would be the defining offensive season of a lifetime.

Tier 4: 180+ Points

Tier 4 includes Wayne Gretzky with 183 points in 1987.

Tier 4 belongs to another Gretzky season. Even when he did not reach 190 or 200, he still cleared 180 points.

Wayne Gretzky — 1986-87

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

Gretzky’s 1986-87 season was another championship-level scoring run. He produced 183 points, won the scoring title and helped Edmonton win the Stanley Cup.

The assists were the backbone of the season, but 62 goals made the stat line complete. Gretzky kept bending defenses because he could punish them either way: take away the shot, he passed through you; collapse too hard, he finished himself.

Tier 5: 170+ Points

Tier 5 covers the 170+ point range.

Tier 5 is empty, which shows how strange this leaderboard is at the top. There is a gap between Gretzky’s 183-point season and the 168-point seasons below.

That gap matters. A 170-point NHL season is already almost impossible, but the players above this tier pushed even further into historic territory.

Tier 6: 160+ Points

Tier 6 includes Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky with 160+ points.

Tier 6 is still absurd. A 160-point season is historically elite, and this tier is basically a Gretzky-Lemieux showcase.

Mario Lemieux — 1987-88

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

Mario Lemieux’s 1987-88 season was the year he fully broke through as the league’s top individual challenger to Gretzky. Seventy goals and 98 assists gave him one of the most complete offensive seasons ever.

Lemieux’s size and hands made him different from every other scorer. He could overpower defenders, slow the play down and create passing lanes that looked unavailable to everyone else.

Wayne Gretzky — 1988-89

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

Gretzky’s first season in Los Angeles was one of the most important seasons in hockey history. New team, new market, new pressure — and he still produced 168 points.

The move to the Kings changed the NHL’s profile in the United States, but the on-ice production mattered just as much. Gretzky proved his playmaking dominance could travel beyond Edmonton.

Wayne Gretzky — 1980-81

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

Gretzky’s 1980-81 season came before the most famous record-breaking years, but it already looked historic. He reached 164 points and gave the league a preview of what was coming.

At that point, the NHL record book was about to become a Gretzky document. His vision, timing and offensive creativity were already far ahead of the field.

Wayne Gretzky — 1990-91

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

Gretzky’s 1990-91 season was another Los Angeles playmaking masterpiece. He finished with 122 assists and 163 points, once again proving he could control the league offensively without Edmonton’s dynasty structure.

This season is a reminder that Gretzky’s dominance was not only about one team or one set of linemates. The vision and passing angles were portable.

Mario Lemieux — 1995-96

Season stats/accolades: 161 points, Pittsburgh Penguins, 69 goals, 92 assists, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy.

Mario Lemieux’s 1995-96 season was another incredible comeback-era offensive run. He scored 69 goals, added 92 assists and won the scoring title with 161 points.

For a player who dealt with major health issues and time away from the game, producing at this level says everything about his talent. Lemieux’s ceiling was one of the highest hockey has ever seen.

Mario Lemieux — 1992-93

Season stats/accolades: 160 points, Pittsburgh Penguins, 69 goals, 91 assists, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy.

Lemieux’s 1992-93 season is one of the most remarkable point totals ever because of the context. He missed time, returned and still finished with 160 points.

His scoring pace was outrageous. This season is one of the strongest examples of how dominant Lemieux could be when he was on the ice, even when circumstances were far from normal.

Tier 7: 148+ Points

Tier 7 includes Steve Yzerman, Connor McDavid, Phil Esposito, Bernie Nicholls, Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, and Pat LaFontaine with 148+ points.

Tier 7 is the 148-plus point range. In almost any normal scoring environment, these are league-defining seasons. This tier also brings in more variety, including Steve Yzerman, Connor McDavid, Phil Esposito, Bernie Nicholls, Jaromir Jagr and Pat LaFontaine.

Steve Yzerman — 1988-89

Season stats/accolades: 155 points, Detroit Red Wings, 65 goals, 90 assists, Lester B. Pearson Award.

Steve Yzerman’s 1988-89 season is the offensive peak that sometimes gets overshadowed by his later two-way leadership and Stanley Cup captaincy.

Before Yzerman became known as the complete leader of the Red Wings dynasty, he was an explosive scorer. Sixty-five goals, 90 assists and 155 points is one of the best offensive seasons ever.

Connor McDavid — 2022-23

Season stats/accolades: 153 points, Edmonton Oilers, 64 goals, 89 assists, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award.

Connor McDavid’s 2022-23 season is the strongest modern entry on this graphic. In today’s NHL, clearing 150 points is massive, and McDavid did it with both elite finishing and elite playmaking.

His speed changes the geometry of the rink. Defenders back up, lanes open, and McDavid can either attack the net himself or create for teammates. This season placed him firmly among the greatest offensive peaks in NHL history.

Phil Esposito — 1970-71

Season stats/accolades: 152 points, Boston Bruins, 76 goals, 76 assists, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy.

Phil Esposito’s 1970-71 season was one of the great pre-Gretzky offensive explosions. He scored 76 goals and added 76 assists, setting a new standard for what a scoring season could look like.

Esposito was a net-front force, a volume shooter and the finishing center of a loaded Bruins attack. Before Gretzky rewrote the record book, this was one of the NHL’s defining offensive seasons.

Bernie Nicholls — 1988-89

Season stats/accolades: 150 points, Los Angeles Kings, 70 goals, 80 assists.

Bernie Nicholls’ 1988-89 season is one of the biggest one-year scoring explosions in NHL history. He scored 70 goals and finished with 150 points.

Nicholls does not always get discussed with the biggest all-time names, but this season absolutely belongs on the board. A 70-goal, 150-point year is monster production by any standard.

Wayne Gretzky — 1987-88

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

Gretzky’s 1987-88 season was his final regular season with Edmonton. Even with a lower goal total by his standards, he still produced 149 points.

The playmaking remained elite, and the Oilers were still one of the most dangerous teams in hockey. For most players, 149 points would be a career-defining peak. For Gretzky, it lands in Tier 7.

Jaromir Jagr — 1995-96

Season stats/accolades: 149 points, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 goals, 87 assists.

Jaromir Jagr’s 1995-96 season showed why he became one of the greatest offensive wingers ever. His strength on the puck, hands, balance and creativity made him nearly impossible to separate from possession.

Jagr produced 149 points while playing alongside another historic Lemieux season. That Pittsburgh offense had overwhelming skill, and Jagr was a superstar in his own right.

Pat LaFontaine — 1992-93

Season stats/accolades: 148 points, Buffalo Sabres, 53 goals, 95 assists.

Pat LaFontaine’s 1992-93 season is one of the greatest offensive seasons in Sabres history. He combined speed, creativity and scoring touch to reach 148 points.

LaFontaine’s career was affected by injuries, but his peak was outstanding. This season remains the kind of production that keeps him connected to the NHL’s highest-scoring campaigns.

FAQ: Most Points in a Single NHL Season

Who has the most points in a single NHL season?

Wayne Gretzky has the most points in a single NHL season with 215 points for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985-86.

Who is in Tier 1 of the most points in a single NHL season tier list?

Tier 1 includes Wayne Gretzky twice: 215 points in 1985-86 and 212 points in 1981-82.

Who has the most points in a single NHL season besides Wayne Gretzky?

Mario Lemieux has the top non-Gretzky season with 199 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1988-89.

How many 200-point seasons are shown on this graphic?

Four 200-point seasons are shown on this graphic, and all four belong to Wayne Gretzky.

Why is Tier 5 empty?

Tier 5 represents the 170-plus point range. No player shown in the graphic falls between 170 and 179 points.

Which modern player appears on this single-season points list?

Connor McDavid appears with 153 points for the Edmonton Oilers in 2022-23.

How many times does Wayne Gretzky appear on this graphic?

Wayne Gretzky appears 10 times on this single-season points graphic.

How many times does Mario Lemieux appear on this graphic?

Mario Lemieux appears four times on this single-season points graphic.

Has anyone scored 220 points in an NHL season?

No. Wayne Gretzky holds the record with 215 points in 1985-86, so no NHL player has reached 220 points in a season.

What matters most in this tier list?

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

Conclusion

The most points in a single NHL season list is dominated by Wayne Gretzky in a way few sports records are dominated by one athlete. His 215-point season in 1985-86 remains the record, and he also owns the next three spots with 212, 208 and 205-point seasons.

Mario Lemieux is the only player who truly breaks up the Gretzky wall near the top, led by his 199-point 1988-89 season. His other 160-plus point seasons prove that his offensive ceiling was almost as scary, even if injuries and missed time shaped his career differently.

The list also gives us important era depth. Steve Yzerman, Phil Esposito, Bernie Nicholls, Jaromir Jagr and Pat LaFontaine all produced monster seasons, while Connor McDavid’s 153-point campaign in 2022-23 gave modern hockey its own entry into the historic scoring conversation.

Single-season points records are special because they demand both scoring and creating at an elite level for months. The players on this list did not just get hot. They controlled games, carried offenses and built seasons that still define the highest level of NHL production.

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 points 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.