Is catching Gretzky in goals enough for Ovechkin to surpass Crosby?

[895]

Assume Crosby doesn't win any more cups or major trophies.

Compiler refers to Ovechkin playing past 40 as a PP specialist, getting 20 goals a season but otherwise not being a good player anymore.

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[Filthy Dangles]

Nah, I'll always remember Crosby as just being a little bit better and more impactful as a player regardless if Ovi complies enough goals to surpass 99.

 

[AvroArrow]

Crosby will always be a greater all around player

Ovi will always be the greatest goal scorer of all time

 

[TheProspector]

Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer in history.

Crosby might be a better overall player, but Crosby isn't the best overall player historically by a wide margin.

Seems pretty contrived to force this one.

 

[illpucks]

He doesn't need to. He's already arguably better.

 

[daver]

He doesn't need to. He's already arguably better.

At what? Losing in the first round. Heeeyooooo!!!!!

 

[filinski77]

I'm perfectly okay with rating Crosby ahead of Ovi all-time right now (albeit only be 1 or 2 spots, it's that close).

But, if Ovi does pass Gretzky in goals, I don't think there will be much discussion at that point, Ovi would have had the better Peak, and the longevity that would make his Legacy > Crosby's. A lot can happen in the next 5+ years of their careers, as it is Crosby already has a big standard to match this and next year.

Ovi was 11th and 15th in points in his 32 and 33 year old seasons, as well as winning 2 rockets.

 

[TSA0402]

Can't stand Crosby, love Ovechkin.

That being said Crosby a bit better, at a more valuable position.

 

[TGWL]

Depends if Crosby is retiring a lot earlier than Ovechkin or not. Catching Gretzky while Crosby still plays at an elite level is not enough to surpass him. I love Ovechkin, and Crosby will never score like him, but Crosby does so much more than goals so you shouldn't just compare goals.

 

[Mackinnonen]

Crosby is just a tiny bit better than Ovi who is easily the #2 of this generation. And Ovi is easily my all time fave player.

 

[illpucks]

but Crosby does so much more than goals

Ovi as well

 

[TGWL]

Ovi as well

Fantastic, but the OP is talking about goals as a way to surpass Crosby.

 

[newfy]

If Crobsy just has some typical 70-80 point seasons while Ovechkin adds another couple of rockets or something on his way to passing it, he passes Crosby. Theyre already pretty much side by side all time, gonna replace the Sakic vs Yzerman threads in 15 years

 

[hi]

Is it harder to score goals or to be the reason why Pascal Dupuis, Conor Sheary and Chris Kunitz score goals?

 

[Plural]

No. In order to pass Sid he'll need more playoff heroics. But breaking that goal record would definitely be awesome to see.

 

[bobholly39]

Voted option 4.

But - it depends. Crosby is ahead today. If both continue ageing/declining at comparable rate - with Ovechkin doing enough to surpass 894 - this changes nothing. Crosby still ahead.

But if Crosby declines more/Ovi ages better and can close the gap? Then sure, maybe. But I don't think that's what OP is asking.

 

[Future GOAT]

No. Crosby is still an over all better player.

 

[Connor McConnor]

Absolutely love Ovi, favourite player to watch (Pre-McDavid). But I will never forget when I came to the realization 4-5 years ago that he will just never be better than Crosby.

 

[COHawk]

Crosby will always be a greater all around player

Ovi will always be the greatest goal scorer of all time

This is the right answer.

 

[Chef de Cuisine]

crosby is better lol

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

What puts Crosby ahead is that he's the best playoff player of this generation by a wide margin. 186 points in 164 games. The only other active player above 1 ppg in the playoffs is Malkin (168 points in 162 games).

Crosby could end up 3rd all time in playoff points (behind only Gretzky and Messier, needs to get to 234 to pass Kurri) despite playing in a significantly lower scoring era.

 

[Fataldogg]

Ovechkin.

I dont think people realize how significant breaking Gretzky's goal record would be. It was once thought as inconceivable in the modern NHL. So, for that alone, if Ovechkin does it, he will be the better player in my book.

 

[Voight]

This is implying Crosby is ahead of him, which is very disputable.

 

[Randyne]

Crosby won 7 trophies last year?

 

[BackToTheBasics]

At what? Losing in the first round. Heeeyooooo!!!!!

Crosby has lost in the first round as many times as Ovechkin has...