NHL's Top Scorers: MacKinnon, Celebrini, McDavid & Bedard
Looking at the NHL’s scoring leaderboard is one of those moments that makes you stop and take notice. Something has changed this season. The NHL’s top point scorers this season read like a mash-up of established elite talent and next-generation phenoms, and watching them go at it is a reminder of just how thrilling this sport can be. Here’s where the scoring stood before the games on Dec. 9th.
Nathan MacKinnon Leads the NHL with 49 Points.
At the top, Nathan MacKinnon is running the show. With 49 points in 29 games and a blistering 133 shots, he’s carrying Colorado’s offense like a one-man storm. His 18% shooting percentage and 21:39 average ice time tell you this isn’t just volume; it’s efficiency meeting elite workload. MacKinnon is at the peak of his powers, and every game reinforces why he’s considered one of the best players alive.
Macklin Celebrini Is Second in NHL Scoring with 43 Points.
And then we get to one of the newcomers, who is proving the gap between generations isn’t nearly as wide as some might have predicted. Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old Sharks rookie, has 43 points in 30 games. Twenty-eight of those are assists, matching McDavid. And his 18.5% shooting clip is higher than MacKinnon’s. It shows he’s not just racking up numbers; he’s doing it efficiently. Playing over 20 minutes per night for a rebuilding team, he’s staking his claim as a future superstar—and judging by how he’s performing, the “future” label may already be premature.
McDavid Is Third in NHL Scoring with 42 Points.
Connor McDavid sits just a little behind, but don’t let the numbers fool you. Forty-two points in 29 games might feel “quiet” only because McDavid sets the bar so high. His 87 shots and 16.1% shooting show a slight dip in finishing, and Edmonton’s uneven start is reflected in his minus-6 plus-minus rating. He also has 28 assists, which ties him with the rookie phenom, Celebrini. Even in a season that might seem slower than usual for him, McDavid remains a scoring machine. He remains a threat every time he touches the puck.
Bedard Is Fourth in NHL Scoring with 40 Points.
Connor Bedard, 20, isn’t just scoring; he’s generating shots at a pace that mirrors MacKinnon’s early career. Ninety-eight shots and 18 goals in 29 games, combined with 22 assists, give him 40 points overall. It’s the sort of production you don’t expect from someone so young, and it makes the point clearly: the next era of NHL stars isn’t approaching—it’s already here.
The Old Guys Aren’t Running Away with the Scoring - At Least Not Thus Far
Put all four together, and the takeaway is striking. MacKinnon and McDavid aren’t running away from anyone; the kids are keeping pace. Celebrini matches McDavid in playmaking, Bedard nearly matches MacKinnon in shot creation, and the balance of power in the league may be shifting faster than anyone predicted. Keep your eyes on these four—they’re defining the league right now.