Ever looked at a hockey box score and wondered how anyone actually keeps up with these guys? Honestly, it's a miracle the scorekeepers can track the puck at all, let alone credit the right guy with an assist when six bodies are piled in the crease. But they do. And when you look back at the NHL season points leaders by year, you aren't just looking at a list of names. You're looking at the evolution of speed, ego, and sheer, unadulterated talent.
It’s basically a story of eras. You’ve got the early days where guys played in wool sweaters and smoked during intermission, the high-flying 80s where defense was sort of a suggestion, and the modern era where players are basically biological machines optimized for puck possession.
The Art Ross and the Early Pioneers
Technically, the Art Ross Trophy—the hardware given to the scoring champ—didn't even exist until 1948. Before that, leading the league in points was just a cool thing you told your grandkids.
Joe Malone started it all. In the NHL’s inaugural 1917-18 season, he put up 48 points in just 20 games. Imagine that. He averaged over two goals a game. It was a different world. He played for the Montreal Canadiens back then, though he’d later light it up for the Quebec Bulldogs too.
Then you hit the 1920s and 30s. Names like Howie Morenz and Charlie Conacher dominated. Conacher was a beast for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading the league twice in the mid-30s. If you look at the totals from those years, 50 or 60 points was a massive haul. Why? Fewer games, for one. But also, the "forward pass" was still being figured out. In the very early years, you couldn't even pass the puck forward in the offensive zone. Total chaos.
The Howe and Hull Dominance
By the time we got into the 1950s, Gordie Howe decided he owned the league. "Mr. Hockey" led the NHL in points five times in six years between 1951 and 1954. He was tough, mean, and could score with either hand.
Then came Bobby Hull. "The Golden Jet."
He was the first guy to really make the slapshot a terrifying weapon. In 1965-66, he hit 97 points. A few years later, in 1968-69, Phil Esposito became the first human to ever break the 100-point barrier, finishing with 126.
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Honestly, Esposito changed the game. He lived in front of the net. He didn't care if he got hacked or whacked; he just put the puck in the net. He ended up leading the league five times. He was the king of the "garbage goal," though when you score 76 in a season like he did in 70-71, it’s hardly garbage.
The Gretzky Anomaly
We have to talk about the 80s. If you look at the NHL season points leaders by year during this decade, it’s basically just a Wayne Gretzky fan club.
Between 1980 and 1994, Gretzky won the Art Ross ten times. Ten.
His 1985-86 season is still the gold standard: 215 points.
Read that again. 215.
He had more assists (163) that year than anyone else has ever had total points in a single season, except for Mario Lemieux.
Mario was the only guy who could actually challenge him. Lemieux was a 6-foot-4 magician. In 1988-89, he put up 199 points. He missed the 200-mark by a single point. It’s almost offensive how good those two were. During that era, the league's leading scorer was consistently putting up 150+ points. If you weren't hitting 100 points, you were basically a nobody.
The Dead Puck Era and the Dip
Things got weird in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Coaches got smart.
They invented the "neutral zone trap."
Suddenly, scoring died.
In 1994-95 (a lockout-shortened year), Jaromir Jagr won the scoring title with only 70 points. Even in full seasons, the numbers plummeted. In 2001-02, Jarome Iginla won with 96 points. For fans who grew up watching Gretzky and Lemieux, this felt like watching paint dry. Goalies got bigger, their pads got massive, and the "clutch and grab" style of hockey meant nobody could move.
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The Modern Revival: McDavid and Kucherov
Fast forward to now. Hockey is fast again. Like, really fast.
Connor McDavid is doing things that don't seem physically possible. He's won the Art Ross five times already. In 2022-23, he hit 153 points, the highest total since the Lemieux days.
But it’s not just a one-man show anymore.
Nikita Kucherov is a wizard for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He just took home the 2024-25 Art Ross Trophy with 121 points. It was his third time winning it, putting him in a very elite club. He actually beat out Nathan MacKinnon, who had a career year with 116 points.
The 2024-25 season was a wild ride because for a long time, it looked like MacKinnon might pull it off. But Kucherov is just so consistent. He had points in 65 of his 78 games. That’s basically 83% of the time. If he shows up, he’s scoring.
Recent NHL Season Points Leaders by Year
- 2024-25: Nikita Kucherov (121 pts) - Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2023-24: Nikita Kucherov (144 pts) - Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2022-23: Connor McDavid (153 pts) - Edmonton Oilers
- 2021-22: Connor McDavid (123 pts) - Edmonton Oilers
- 2020-21: Connor McDavid (105 pts) - Edmonton Oilers (Shortened season)
- 2019-20: Leon Draisaitl (110 pts) - Edmonton Oilers
It’s interesting to see the Edmonton Oilers dominating the list lately. Between McDavid and Draisaitl, that city has been spoiled with offensive talent.
Why the Art Ross Still Matters
You’ll hear some people argue that points aren't everything. "What about defense?" they say. "What about blocked shots?"
Sure, those matter for winning Cups.
But the NHL season points leaders by year represent the peak of individual skill. To lead the league over 82 games requires a level of focus and health that most players can't maintain.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking it’s always the best player who wins. Sometimes, it’s the guy on the best power play. Sometimes, it’s the guy whose linemate is finishing every single pass. But usually? It’s just the guy who sees the game three seconds before everyone else does.
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Breaking Down the All-Time Wins
If you want to know who the true kings of the mountain are, look at the multi-time winners. It’s a short list.
- Wayne Gretzky: 10 wins (The Great One for a reason)
- Mario Lemieux: 6 wins (The most talented to ever play)
- Gordie Howe: 6 wins (Longevity personified)
- Connor McDavid: 5 wins (And he’s not done yet)
- Phil Esposito: 5 wins (The king of the slot)
- Jaromir Jagr: 5 wins (The man who played forever)
What to Watch For Next Season
As we look toward the 2025-26 season, the race for the points lead is already heating up. Nathan MacKinnon is still in his prime and hungry after coming so close. McDavid is always the favorite, especially since he seems to take it personally when he doesn't win.
Then you’ve got the dark horses. Jack Hughes in New Jersey is a points-per-game machine when he’s healthy. Connor Bedard is only getting better in Chicago.
If you're looking to track these leaders yourself, the best thing to do is keep an eye on secondary stats. Look at on-ice shooting percentage and power play time. If a guy is playing 4 minutes a night on the man advantage and his team has a 25% conversion rate, he’s going to be at the top of the list.
Honestly, the best part of following the scoring race isn't the final number. It's the Tuesday night games in February where a guy like Kucherov puts up four assists just because he felt like it. That’s the magic of the NHL.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the NHL's official stats page and daily fantasy trends. These often signal who is getting the most "high-danger" scoring chances before they actually show up in the goal column. Analyzing line combinations is also key; a change in who a star player skates with can transform a 90-point season into a 120-point one overnight. For the most accurate historical context, cross-reference current totals with the Hockey-Reference season-by-season archives to see how today's stars stack up against the legends.