Can Alex Ovechkin Realistically Chase Down This Crazy Wayne Gretzky Record??
When Wayne Gretzky hung up his skates and called it a career, it was absurd to think that anyone in the modern-day NHL would have a chance to break his goal record. Over his 20-year career, Gretzky amassed a staggering 894 goals. The Great One appeared to have etched his name as the all-time goal leader for the rest of history, but in stepped Alex Ovechkin.
Since Ovechkin broke into the league at the start of the 2005-2006 season, he has made substantial progress in catching up to Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin is the definition of the perfect goal scorer. His booming slapshot from the circle has become his trademark. Over Ovechkin's career up to this point, he has tallied a total of 780 goals. Ovechkin leads the list for active all-time goal scorers by a wide margin. With Ovechkin entering the tail end of his career, can he really chase down Gretzky?
I think Ovechkin has a real opportunity to surpass Wayne Gretzky by the end of his current contract with the Washington Capitals. Washington has done a great job at keeping stability with his linemates, which has undoubtedly helped Ovechkin continue to score at the rate he has. Over his career, Ovechkin has averaged 0.61 goals per game. If he can keep scoring at that rate, we can see Ovechkin pass Gretzky in 2025 or 2026, which would take place during his last year of his contract extension with the Capitals.
| POLL | ||
Can Ovechkin chase down Wayne? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 49.5 % |
| No | 31 | 29.5 % |
| Maybe | 22 | 21 % |
| List of polls | ||
