Places fifth overall in voting for the Hart Trophy. Finishes third overall in voting for the Lady Byng Trophy. Named the Greatest Hockey Player of All-Time as selected by the Hockey News. Ties for first in the NHL and ranked first on the club with 67 assists, marking the 15th season which he has led the league in assists. Collects a pair of assists on Oct. 26 vs. Anaheim, including the 1,851st of his career, becoming the only player in NHL history to record more assists than any other players point total.
Rangers fail to miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Wayne retires, playing his last game on April 18, 1999. He finishes holding 61 NHL records.