Who will be the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history? Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky holds that mantle currently. Will Alexander “The Great” Ovechkin eventually hold the prize?
Russian phenom Alexander Ovechkin is one of the greatest snipers in NHL history, perhaps the best goal scorer of the modern era. Now–with a 5-year, $47.5 million contract extension in hand–“Alexander the Great” (also known as “The Great 8”) may do what many analysts and fans thought was unthinkable just a few years ago, that is, supplant Wayne Gretzky as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.
Here are the numbers. Gretzky is the NHL’s all-time goals leader at 894. Ovechkin currently sits 6th at 730 career goals in 1197 games (290 fewer than Gretzky’s 1487).
Based on those numbers, Ovechkin must average a minimum of 33 goals a season over the next five years to surpass The Great One’s output.
There is a problem, though. Age. Ovechkin will be 36 years old going into his 17th season, and while he has yet to show any sign of slowing down, the inevitable is lurking. It’s not a matter of whether, but of when. That said, it’s reasonable to predict that Ovechkin will be a Top-3 all-time goal scorer by the end of next season. He is only one goal behind the great Marcel Dionne, 11 behind 4th place Brett Hull, and 33 behind Czech legend Jaromir Jagr. Only Gordie Howe and Gretzky have breached the 800-goal mark.
Can Ovi pass Gretzky? Absolutely. But to do it, he’ll have to sustain productivity as he nears the 40-year mark. But no matter whether or not he breaks the mark, NHL fans will still get an opportunity to watch one of the best-ever players perform.
