from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

In Orr’s prime in Boston, there was no one close to him. In his six 100-point seasons, unheard of for a defenceman then or now, he scored 734 points. By comparison, the great Stan Mikita, multiple Hart Trophy winner, scored 477 through those years.

In Gretzky’s prime, there was no one close to him. In his NHL career, he scored 2,857 points. That was 1,197 more than anyone who played opposite him.

Lemieux didn’t play enough games to outscore Gretzky, career-wise, but in the 13 seasons before he retired the first time, he scored 2.01 points per game; Gretzky was second at 1.90 a game. Lemieux scored 78 playoff points in the two Pittsburgh championships in the `90s. Those remain unheard-of numbers.

Which is what McDavid is doing now with the Oilers.

He leads the NHL in goals scored, assists, and points right now. That doesn’t happen often. Gretzky did it five times. Lemieux did it twice. McDavid has eight goals more than David Pastrnak with a quarter of the season to go. He has 34 more points than anyone who doesn’t play for the Oilers. He has 45 more points than Mitch Marner, 49 more points than Sidney Crosby, and twice as many points as Auston Matthews.

Crosby has played for three Stanley Cup winners, and two Olympic gold championship teams, in a career unparalleled in hockey today. No one of this era has excelled and won the way Crosby has won. That’s all that’s missing from the growing McDavid resume.

He has separated himself from the pack, the way Orr did, the way Gretzky and Lemieux managed, the way only a handful of hockey players have ever separated themselves from the pack in their times. He will win his third Hart Trophy this season, and it should be a consensus victory. If there is a Mt. Rushmore of NHL talent — and this is with apologies to the late Gordie Howe — the carvings should be reserved for Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, and now McDavid.

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