Will Ovechkin beat Gretzky in all-time goals?

[Frenchy]

As a Caps fan I took a quick look at Peter Bondra. He was 36 when dealt to Ottawa at the trade deadline and leading the NHL in PPG's. He scored 21 goals in 60 games for Atlanta at 38.

One of my favorite player back then , this guy was lethal arround the net.

 

[txpd]

One of my favorite player back then , this guy was lethal arround the net.

I chose him because he had a hall of fame one timer. His office was the right wing circle and he scored ppg's the same way Ovechkin does.

 

[Fazkovsky]

Depends how he ages

I think he will play until 43 its possible

 

[ncm7772]

No, but I think he'll come close. Biggest thing he has going for him longevity wise is toughness. Dude is never injured.

 

[BallardEra]

If he gets to 800 career goals I feel that's an insane accomplishment considering the era he would have done it in.

I believe he's 203 goals ahead of anyone else since he's entered the league.

 

[BigTruzz]

He probably won't, but that doesn't mean he isn't the greatest goal scorer of all time, because he is.

 

[HockeyAddict]

I'll say no to OPs question because I think he heads to the KHL in a couple of years… I have doubts he finishes his contract. It just seems that the great Russians like returning home for a few seasons while they can still play at a high level.

 

[Dondini]

he was asked recently if he could pass howes 801 and he said yah why not, instead of giving the usual that he doesn’t think about it. Everyone knows he’s thinking about it and saying it publicly proves that. I think he sticks around to hit 800

800 for the gr8 8. 8 rockets would be nice to.

Just for fun
Age 33-50 goals 657
Age 34-45 goals 702
Age 35- 39 goals 741
Age 36- 32 goals 773
Age 37- 30 goals 803

The longer ovy keeps scoring at a 50 pace the more interesting this gets. Like what if he goes 55-50-48 or something in the next 3 years. Gretzky would be in full watch

 

[BallardEra]

I think the most mind blowing stat is that he has 203 more goals than the next closest player since he entered the league in 2005.

Think about that for a minute. That's like four 50 goal seasons worth of goals!

It's truly mind boggling.

 

[BallardEra]

#624 this afternoon. Now one goal back of Iginla and Sakic for the #15th spot overall.

 

[Fantomas]

If league scoring continues to stay high - and with upcoming Seattle expansion this seems likely - then I think he will make this interesting.

 

[Claypool]

It's not a matter of if, but when. If Ovechkin plays until his 40s he can easily break the record. Just a question if he wants to play that long.

 

[BallardEra]

Scary this is that he'd be closing in on 700 goals right about now without the lockout and strike shortened seasons.

 

[Walt Comiskey]

Scary this is that he'd be closing in on 700 goals right about now without the lockout and strike shortened seasons.

OV has lost roughly 60 goals IMO to strike year and the Dale Hunter debacle.

 

[CRDragon]

Age 33-55 goals 662
Age 34-50 goals 712
Age 35-45 goals 757
Age 36-35 goals 792
Age 37-35 goals 827
Age 38-30 goals 857
Age 39-25 goals 882
Age 40-25 goals 907

 

[Beukeboom]

OV has lost roughly 60 goals IMO to strike year and the Dale Hunter debacle.

Nothing is that easy. He scored 32 goals two seasons ago. Many players have said lock outs make them last longer. Gretzky also experienced a lock out and he did not have 3 on 3 over time or even 4 on 4 hockey during penalties for a majority of his career due to how superior he was during that format. Should we give him an imaginary 60 goals extra too?

 

[Dondini]

The gr8 gonna score 888 goals. He’s going to sign one more year and the record will no doubt fall. Just prior to the season ovy calls Wayne to ask if he could have the nhl records reduce Wayne’s totals to 886 so ovy can retire with 888 his favourite number and the goal record, Wayne completely sauced after a long day on the course agrees. History was made.

 

[authentic]

No, but I think he'll come close. Biggest thing he has going for him longevity wise is toughness. Dude is never injured.

Has there ever been an elite player like him who played like he does for so long without getting hurt?

 

[authentic]

He probably won't, but that doesn't mean he isn't the greatest goal scorer of all time, because he is.

Honestly, I think if he ends up with the most Rockets by the end of this season it will be tough to argue against it. People will always point to Gretzky's 92 but I'm pretty sure peak Ovechkin would've managed somewhere around that in the 80s too. Gretzky was done as an elite goal scorer after his mid 20s. My top 5 goal scorers of all time would be:

1. Ovechkin
2. Lemieux
3. Gretzky
4. Bobby Hull
5. Bure/Brett Hull (tough to decide between these two, some would say Bossy or Richard though)

 

[BallardEra]

#625 tonight ties him with Iginla and Sakic for 15th all time.

It took Iginla 527 more games and Sakic 351 more games to hit the 625 goal mark.

 

[authentic]

One of my favorite player back then , this guy was lethal arround the net.

There's a player you never hear about anymore.

 

[WesMcCauley]

I think he has a good chance. The longer he keeps scoring 40-50 goals a season, the more likely i think it is he will keep playing until he takes Gretzkys record instead of going back to Russia.

If he is over 800 goals at 36-37 years old, i think he will play until he takes the record.

 

[Jbwest31]

I think a lot of people are underestimating how much of a competitor Ovie is. I means he’s all smiles and laughs after the whistle, but until then, he is full throttle. If he’s anywhere near the record, you can guarantee he’s gonna chase it as long as he can.

 

[wetcoast]

Depends how he ages

I think he will play until 43 its possible

Even then it would be tough.

Right now he needs 270 goals to catch Wayne and maybe he score 35 more this year.

Next year he would be turning 34 and would need about 235 more goals.

Only 11 players have scored 40 or more goals (the pace AO would need for 6 straight years) over the age of 33 all time.

Only 1 player Selanne has down it more than once.

Player Season Finder | Hockey-Reference.com

The most goals anyone has scored past the age of 33 is 250 by Johnny Bucyk, who played in a higher scoring era and 2nd was Howe who played a little longer than most folks do at 230.

3rd is Jean Ratelle, who also played in a much more favorable climate with 196.

I used to think that AO might hang on and really try to beats Wayne's record but I think it would end embarrassingly as everyone ages.

Now I'm embarrassed I made a mistake in the search Howe is first in career goals after the age of 33 with 299

Player Season Finder | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[Misery74]

I'll say no to OPs question because I think he heads to the KHL in a couple of years… I have doubts he finishes his contract. It just seems that the great Russians like returning home for a few seasons while they can still play at a high level.

I think there is little to no chance he ever leaves Washington to play hockey.

He is now a God in Washington Sports History.