The Great One scored 894 goals in 1487 games. .601 goals per game. Ovechkin is at 808 goals in 1314 games; .615 goals per game, but you’d think he will slow down as he approaches 40.  
 

What are his chances?

Let me preface it by saying I'm not really a hockey fan.  So, I'm not sure on what his chances are, but I am not rooting for him.  And, it's not because I have anything particularly against him, per se...I just think in some people's minds it'll diminish just how dominant Gretzky was.

I mean, if in 20 years some snot-nosed kid looks up and sees that Alex is the only one to have scored 900 goals, he'll automatically think that he (Ovie) is the Great One.  And that would be a terrible, terrible insult.  Nearly 2000 assists should not be overlooked.  And Ovechkin won't even be close to half of that, no matter how much longer he plays.

I agree, I hope he doesn’t get it simply because I don’t want to have to entertain the arguments that he was at all better than Gretzky. That Gretzky has been the all-time leading scorer while simultaneously having more than 700 assists than anyone else is a testament to his insane dominance. 

On 1/4/2023 at 3:22 PM, DragonFire said:

I agree, I hope he doesn’t get it simply because I don’t want to have to entertain the arguments that he was at all better than Gretzky. That Gretzky has been the all-time leading scorer while simultaneously having more than 700 assists than anyone else is a testament to his insane dominance. 

I don't think this is even an issue. Ovechkin could play until he's 60 and score a lot more goals than Gretzky and he still wouldn't be close to the greatest. Gretzky was well known, and helped pull Hockey into the mainstream during his prime. Everyone knew (and mostly still knows) who Gretzky was. You could walk around downtown Cincinnati and ask 100 people who Ovechkin is and I'd guess less than one half, or even a 1/3 would know who he is. Anybody who'd argue the Ovechkin was greater than Gretzky isn't worth arguing with. 

On 1/8/2023 at 12:11 PM, rjs4470 said:

I don't think this is even an issue. Ovechkin could play until he's 60 and score a lot more goals than Gretzky and he still wouldn't be close to the greatest. Gretzky was well known, and helped pull Hockey into the mainstream during his prime. Everyone knew (and mostly still knows) who Gretzky was. You could walk around downtown Cincinnati and ask 100 people who Ovechkin is and I'd guess less than one half, or even a 1/3 would know who he is. Anybody who'd argue the Ovechkin was greater than Gretzky isn't worth arguing with. 

I was thinking the same as I was reading this thread.  I do not follow hockey at all.  I could probabaly name all the players I know on two hands, but I sure as heck know who Gretzky is and even chose to watch the ESPN special about his trade to the Kings because he of his noteriety.  He made people who don't care about hockey actually watch from tie to time.  I have no clue who the other guy is.  I think Gretzky will always be the greatest at least to the general public.

I agree with all above on this.  Just a shade of background.  I was enamored with the Miracle On Ice story and our USA team beating the Russians and then winning the Goal Medal in hockey in 1980.  It was such a formidable memory for me; I was 10 at the time.  Then ESPN came on the scene around 83'-84 and I started to pull for the St Louis Blues because they were the closest team to Bowling Green at the time.  I still keep up with it a little, but not much really.  But during those 1980s years, I was all into it!  And no team defined hockey with such skill like the Edmonton Oilers led by the Greatest - Wayne Gretzky.

This "argument" to me is a little like the Lebron vs Micheal Jordan argument some have.  But it is clear who is the Greatest in each case to me.

The Edmonton Oilers were hockey's last great dynasty winning 5 Stanley Cups in 7 years from 1984 to 1990.  They were the most fun team to watch back then because you never knew what Gretzky was going to do on the ice. He was a magician.

Ovechkin is a very good player, but he isn't the Greatest even if he has more goals.  He led the Capitals to one Stanley Cup win in 2018, but they have been an average team at best since then.  They are currently tied for 9th in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoffs as it stands right now.

On 1/4/2023 at 2:22 PM, DragonFire said:

I agree, I hope he doesn’t get it simply because I don’t want to have to entertain the arguments that he was at all better than Gretzky. That Gretzky has been the all-time leading scorer while simultaneously having more than 700 assists than anyone else is a testament to his insane dominance. 

Getting back to his dominance brings me to my all time favorite stat. If you remove all of Wayne Gretzky's goals, he would still be the NHL's all time leader in points.

Agree on all counts re. The Great One as the GOAT.  Here’s where they stand goal-wise. 
 

WG 894

AO 860

On 11/5/2024 at 8:58 AM, mcpapa said:

Agree on all counts re. The Great One as the GOAT.  Here’s where they stand goal-wise. 
 

WG 893

AO 860

So short of a career ending injury, he's going to get to 900 in all likelihood. 

Ovechkin is great and has been a dominant player, but hopefully no one gets it twisted and at some point thinks he's the GOAT.

Just saw this....crazy!

After last night’s hat trick, 13 more goals breaks the record. 

WG 894

AO 891

It's inevitable.  Appears likely before end of this season.

WG 894 in 1487 games

AO 894 in 1486 games 

From the Washington Capitals

Eight. Hundred. Ninety. Four.