Gretzky/Ovechkin. Major gap in supporting cast talent.

[Hank Plank]

In summary Ovechkin is 27 times better than Gretzky.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

As for supporting casts, it's just different eras. Hard to compare the salary cap era with super teams before that, although those Oiler teams got shafted with pay.

 

[SkinsFan09]

These are both all time great hockey players and played in different eras. I do believe that Gretzky made players around him better and that is something that Ovechkin has not done. I do think that it is highly possible that Kurri, Andersen and Lowe all would not be HOFers if it were not for Gretzky. Although Ovechkin is "now" the all time leading goal scorer, in my opinion Gretzky could have easily scored a lot more goals but it seemed The Great One enjoyed setting up his teammates (closest comparision I can think of is Kucherov). I do not think we will see someone again with Gretzky's hockey IQ again as he was always 3 steps ahead of everyone. Let's just enjoy both players from different eras as they are both totally different type of players but both unique in their way.

I'm not sure how you could have watched Ovechkin's career and say he doesn't make players around him better. There's more ways than just making nice passes when it comes to helping others around you.

The Hurricanes just gave up a PPG in tonight's game solely because they had to sell out to stop a potential one-timer opening up an enormous part of the ice for the rest of the team. Turning almost every PP into a 4 on 3 makes it easier for your teammates and of course in his younger years, a similar effect at even strength.

Now, nobody elevated their team like 99 - in that category he is No. 1 all-time, which nobody is arguing. But to say 8 has never done that is not true.