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NHL Record for Most Points, Center in a Career

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record with 2,857 points (1979-80 to 1998-99).

Top of the list

Most Points, Center, Career: the leaders
RankPlayerPointsSeasonGPGoalsAssists
1Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR2,8571979-80 to 1998-991,4878941,963
2Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,7981981-82 to 2003-041,7315491,249
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,7861979-80 to 2003-041,6836571,129
4Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR1,7711971-72 to 1988-891,3487311,040
5Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,7672005-06 to 2026-271,4306571,110
6Steve YzermanDET1,7551983-84 to 2005-061,5146921,063

The full top 50

Most Points, Center, Career: NHL skater records
RankPlayerPointsSeasonGPGoalsAssists
1Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR2,8571979-80 to 1998-991,4878941,963
2Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,7981981-82 to 2003-041,7315491,249
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,7861979-80 to 2003-041,6836571,129
4Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR1,7711971-72 to 1988-891,3487311,040
5Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,7672005-06 to 2026-271,4306571,110
6Steve YzermanDET1,7551983-84 to 2005-061,5146921,063
7Mario LemieuxPIT1,7231984-85 to 2005-069156901,033
8Joe SakicQUE,COL1,6411988-89 to 2008-091,3786251,016
9Phil EspositoCHI,BOS,NYR1,5901963-64 to 1980-811,282717873
10Joe ThorntonSJS,BOS,TOR,FLA1,5391997-98 to 2021-221,7144301,109
11Stan MikitaCHI1,4671958-59 to 1979-801,396541926
12Bryan TrottierNYI,PIT1,4251975-76 to 1993-941,279524901
13Adam OatesDET,STL,BOS,WSH,PHI,ANA,EDM1,4201985-86 to 2003-041,3373411,079
14Evgeni MalkinPIT · active1,4142006-07 to 2026-271,279538876
14Doug GilmourSTL,CGY,TOR,NJD,CHI,BUF,MTL1,4141983-84 to 2002-031,474450964
16Dale HawerchukWIN,BUF,STL,PHI1,4091981-82 to 1996-971,188518891
17Mike ModanoMNS,DAL,DET1,3741989-90 to 2010-111,499561813
18Mats SundinQUE,TOR,VAN1,3491990-91 to 2008-091,346564785
19Denis SavardCHI,MTL,TBL1,3381980-81 to 1996-971,196473865
20Pierre TurgeonBUF,NYI,MTL,STL,DAL,COL1,3271987-88 to 2006-071,294515812
21Gilbert PerreaultBUF1,3261970-71 to 1986-871,191512814
22Anze KopitarLAK1,3162006-07 to 2025-261,521452864
23Alex DelvecchioDET1,2811950-51 to 1973-741,550456825
24Jean RatelleNYR,BOS1,2671960-61 to 1980-811,280491776
25Steven StamkosTBL,NSH · active1,2662008-09 to 2026-271,254628638
26Connor McDavidEDM · active1,2432015-16 to 2026-27802415828
27Peter StastnyQUE,NJD,STL1,2391980-81 to 1994-95977450789
28Norm UllmanDET,TOR1,2291955-56 to 1974-751,410490739
29Jean BeliveauMTL1,2191950-51 to 1970-711,125507712
30Jeremy RoenickCHI,PHI,LAK,PHX,SJS1,2161988-89 to 2008-091,363513703
31Bobby ClarkePHI1,2101969-70 to 1983-841,144358852
32Bernie NichollsLAK,NYR,NJD,EDM,CHI,SJS1,2091981-82 to 1998-991,127475734
33Vincent DamphousseTOR,EDM,MTL,SJS1,2051986-87 to 2003-041,378432773
34Patrick MarleauSJS,TOR,PIT1,1971997-98 to 2020-211,779566631
35John TavaresNYI,TOR · active1,1922009-10 to 2026-271,273527665
36Rod Brind'AmourSTL,PHI,CAR1,1841989-90 to 2009-101,484452732
37Sergei FedorovDET,ANA,CBJ,WSH1,1791990-91 to 2008-091,248483696
38Nathan MacKinnonCOL · active1,1582013-14 to 2026-27959426732
39Bernie FederkoSTL,DET1,1301976-77 to 1989-901,000369761
40Joe NieuwendykCGY,DAL,NJD,TOR,FLA1,1261986-87 to 2006-071,257564562
41Darryl SittlerTOR,PHI,DET1,1211970-71 to 1984-851,096484637
42Henrik SedinVAN1,0702000-01 to 2017-181,330240830
43Joe PavelskiSJS,DAL1,0682006-07 to 2023-241,332476592
44Leon DraisaitlEDM · active1,0672014-15 to 2026-27863440627
45Eric StaalCAR,NYR,MIN,BUF,MTL,FLA1,0632003-04 to 2022-231,365455608
46Henri RichardMTL1,0461955-56 to 1974-751,258358688
47Patrice BergeronBOS1,0402003-04 to 2022-231,294427613
48Bobby SmithMNS,MTL1,0361978-79 to 1992-931,077357679
49Doug WeightNYR,EDM,CAR,STL,ANA,NYI1,0331991-92 to 2010-111,238278755
49Nicklas BackstromWSH1,0332007-08 to 2023-241,105271762

Top 50 of 920 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

  • All NHL records

    Every official record list by category

  • Milestones

    Who could hit a milestone tonight, and who is close

  • Streaks

    Active point and goal streaks and droughts, with the luck behind them

  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

  • Gordie Howe hat tricks

    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

  • Game highs

    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

  • Rookies

    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

  • Awards

    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most points, center in a career?

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record for most points, center in a career with 2,857 (1979-80 to 1998-99).

Who is the active leader for most points, center in a career?

Sidney Crosby is the highest active player on the list at 1,767, rank 5 all time.