Hockey stats are weird. Most people hear "scoring" and immediately think of goals. In the NHL, though, "scoring" means points—the combined total of goals and assists. If you walked into a bar in 1999 and asked who the greatest of all time was, you'd get one answer. Today? The conversation has shifted, even if the guy at the top of the mountain hasn't moved an inch.
Wayne Gretzky is still the king. It’s almost boring to talk about, honestly. He’s sitting there with 2,857 points. To put that in perspective, if you took away every single goal Gretzky ever scored, he would still be the all time nhl scoring leader based on assists alone. It’s a stat that sounds fake, but I promise you, it's 100% real.
But as of January 2026, the list behind him is looking a lot different than it did even five years ago. We’ve seen active legends like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin climb the ladder, while names like Gordie Howe and Marcel Dionne—names that used to be immovable—are finally getting some company.
The Mount Rushmore of NHL Point Producers
When you look at the all time nhl scoring leaders, you’re really looking at different eras of the game clashing. You have the "Original Six" era, the high-flying 80s, and the modern "dead puck" era survivors.
1. Wayne Gretzky (2,857 Points)
The Great One. Basically, he played a different sport than everyone else. He wasn't the biggest or the fastest, but he knew where the puck was going before the puck even knew. He played 1,487 games and averaged nearly two points every time he stepped on the ice. No one is touching this record. Ever.
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2. Jaromir Jagr (1,921 Points)
Jagr is the ultimate "what if" story, which is wild to say about a guy who is second all-time. He spent three years in the KHL during his late 30s. If he stayed in the NHL? He’s likely the only human to ever cross the 2,000-point threshold besides Gretzky. He played until he was 45 in the NHL and is still skating in the Czech Republic today at 53. The man is a machine.
3. Mark Messier (1,887 Points)
"The Moose." Messier was the backbone of those Oilers dynasties and the savior of the 1994 Rangers. He wasn't just a scorer; he was a freight train. He finished his career with 1,756 games played, which for a long time was the record for most durability in the league.
4. Gordie Howe (1,850 Points)
"Mr. Hockey" played in five different decades. Think about that. He was an elite scorer when players wore leather helmets, and he was still effective when the league had transitioned to modern gear. Most people forget he actually played 26 seasons in the NHL and another six in the WHA.
The Modern Climb: Crosby and Ovechkin in 2026
If you haven't checked the stats page lately, you might be surprised where the current guys sit. It's easy to think of Sidney Crosby as the "kid," but he’s now firmly entrenched in the top 10. As we hit the midway point of the 2025-26 season, Sid has moved past legends like Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman.
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Sidney Crosby is currently sitting at 1,740 points. He’s passed his mentor, Mario, who ended with 1,723. It's a bittersweet milestone for Penguins fans. Mario had the higher points-per-game, but Crosby’s longevity has been incredible.
Then there’s Alex Ovechkin. While Ovi is famous for his goals—and yes, he did finally break Gretzky’s goal record of 894 in April 2025—he’s also a sneaky-good playmaker. Ovechkin is currently 10th all-time with 1,664 points. He’s likely going to keep climbing as he chases 1,000 career goals, a number that seemed impossible until Ovi just... kept scoring.
Why Some Legends Are Fading from the Top 10
It's kinda sad to see names like Phil Esposito (1,590) or Ray Bourque (1,579) slide down the list, but it’s a sign of how good the modern player has become. The 1980s were a goldmine for points. Goalies were smaller, pads were thinner, and the scores were often 8-6.
- Marcel Dionne (1,771): Often called the greatest player to never win a Cup, he’s currently 6th.
- Steve Yzerman (1,755): "The Captain" reinvented himself from a 150-point scorer to a defensive specialist and still stayed in the top 7.
- Ron Francis (1,798): The most underrated superstar in history. He just quietly racked up assists for 23 years.
Is Connor McDavid a Threat to the List?
Let’s talk about the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Connor McDavid.
As of early 2026, McDavid is already hovering around the 1,165 point mark. He’s only 29.
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If he stays healthy, McDavid is the only player with a realistic shot at the top 3. He won’t catch Gretzky—let’s be serious—but Jagr’s 1,921? That is very much in play. He’s currently leading the league again this season, neck-and-neck with Nathan MacKinnon. Honestly, watching McDavid is like watching a video game on 2x speed.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Rankings
You’ve probably heard people argue about "Era-Adjusted Stats." Basically, it's a way of saying that 100 points in 2024 is harder to get than 100 points in 1985.
If you adjust for the lack of scoring in the late 90s, guys like Jaromir Jagr and Joe Sakic actually look even better. Mario Lemieux is the biggest victim of his era (and his health). Lemieux averaged 1.88 points per game, second only to Gretzky. If he hadn’t fought cancer and chronic back issues, he’d likely be the one sitting at #2 with over 2,000 points.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're tracking the all time nhl scoring leaders this season, here is how you should actually look at the data:
- Watch the GP (Games Played): Total points are a measure of greatness and health. Seeing Crosby in the top 10 is a testament to his modern training and recovery.
- The 1,000 Point Club is no longer the "elite" ceiling: In the 70s, 1,000 points made you a Hall of Fame lock. Today, you almost need 1,200 to be considered among the "all-time" greats.
- Assists matter: Don't let the goal-scorers hog the glory. Guys like Ron Francis and Ray Bourque built their legacies on the primary pass.
Next time you're looking at the leaderboard, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the years. We are currently living through a second "Golden Age" of scoring. Enjoy watching Crosby and McDavid while you can, because once they’re gone, these spots on the list will be locked up for a long, long time.
To keep up with the daily movement on the leaderboard, check the official NHL stats page every Monday morning. The gap between 8th and 11th place is currently less than 100 points, meaning every multi-point game from an active player reshapes history.