Hypothetical: If Ovechkin reaches 950 or 1000 goals, is he top ten all-time?

[GoldenSeal]

I think he finishes this year and goes home.

 

[pezpunk]

Super dumb thread title. I ain’t reading any of that.

He’s already top 3. Why would he go down?

Also he’s going back to Russia after next season, so 1000 is probablyyyyyyy off the table, barring a 100-goal season at age 40.

 

[BMann]

If he stays fit & healthy next season could see 30-40 goals. Add 2-3 more in this regular season so around 935 ? Of course with the lost games he would probably have hit 1000.

 

[SladeWilson23]

Exactly. Luongo had a higher save percentage than Brodeur, both at even strength, and on the penalty kill. But because the Devils were much more disciplined than the Canucks, and Brodeur faced a lower percentage of shots in the tougher situation (PK), he had the higher save percentage overall. It's a classic example of Simpson's Paradox. (Okay, I'll stop derailing this thread now).

And none of that matters because Brodeur still deserved the Vezina and had the better year than Luongo. Luongo had the better team overall.

Besides we all know that Brodeur's SV% was artificially deflated for the massive majority of his career.

Anyways, Ovechkin is already top 10. He's had his bad playoff moments, and having three President Trophy teams get bounced unfortunately will be wrongfully put on him.

That said how can a dude with his dominant numbers, and all the trophies, and, yes that includes a Comn Smythe, not be considered top 10?

 

[Guadana]

He is already top-10 all time.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

1000 would be amazing, but honestly, it feels like such a ludicrous number that it would be cool to leave it as "the next mountain" that someone could feasibly conquer one day.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

He’s easily top 10 already, Greatest Winger of All Time, scoring 950 would likely put him top 5.

1. Gretzky
2. Lemieux
3. Orr
4. Howe
5. Crosby
6. Ovechkin
7. Jagr
8. Beliveau
9. Richard

 

[Gerulaitis]

With his 895th,
Ovechkin has cemented top 5 all-time

 

[The Burdened]

1. Gretzky
2. Lemiuex
3. Orr
4. Howe
5. Ovechkin

Sorry Sid, but Ovechkin clears. erasing Gretzky from an all time record of the most coveted stat in the sport that many thought would never be broken >>.

Ovechkin dented Gretzky's legacy, something Sid never did. He no longer leads everything.

 

[Zirakzigil]

1. Gretzky
2. Lemiuex
3. Orr
4. Howe
5. Ovechkin

Sorry Sid, but Ovechkin clears. erasing Gretzky from an all time record of the most coveted stat in the sport that many thought would never be broken >>.

Ovechkin dented Gretzky's legacy, something Sid never did. He no longer leads everything.

Yeah that consecutive season PPG record.... Nothin.

 

[The Burdened]

Yeah that consecutive season PPG record.... Nothin.

kids don't play the game dreaming about ancillary trivia.
it's all about putting the puck in the net, and Ovechkin has the crown. he took it from the great one.

 

[waitin425]

It's a big 6. McDavid will likely one day make it a big 7.

For me it's Gretzky firmly #1

A case for #2 can be made for....

Lemieux
Orr
Howe
Crosby
Ovechkin

The order you have those 5 is based purely on preference. Ovechkin is the greatest goalscorer in the history of the NHL. Goals are somewhat important. That counts for a ton in my books.

My personal ranking....

Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux - lost years to cancer hurts
Crosby - injuries and concussions in his prime hurts
Ovechkin
Howe
Jagr
Richard

I categorize goalies completely separate.

Another interesting thing about top 10's is we appear to neglect generational talents from the 1st and 2nd generations. The Newsy Lalonde's, Howie Morenz, etc. Where would they rank? No one knows because too much time has passed. How many people have actually seen Howe play or Orr. It's all a bunch of nonsense these lists - mine included.

 

[Zirakzigil]

kids don't play the game dreaming about ancillary trivia.
it's all about putting the puck in the net, and Ovechkin has the crown. he took it from the great one.

Actually its about winning. And Sid did that more.

 

[Gerulaitis]

1. Gretzky
2. Lemiuex
3. Orr
4. Howe
5. Ovechkin

Sorry Sid, but Ovechkin clears. erasing Gretzky from an all time record of the most coveted stat in the sport that many thought would never be broken >>.

Ovechkin dented Gretzky's legacy, something Sid never did. He no longer leads everything.

Well done.

I'd say:
1 Orr.
T2 Gretzky and Lemieux
4 Howe
5 Ovechkin

Crosby is somewhere between #11 and #20.

 

[The Burdened]

Actually its about winning. And Sid did that more.

How many hockey players have won 3 Cups? You tell me too many to count. Hell there are 25 who have won 5+.
How many hockey players have scored 895 NHL goals? 1. Ovechkin.

 

[The Shadow]

All of the top scorers have missed significant time to injury this season. If you just statwatch without any context you aren’t worth talking to

Then please don’t talk to me

 

[pezpunk]

Actually its about winning. And Sid did that more.

the list of players who have won 3 cups is LONGGGGG.

the list of players who have scored 895 goals is .... shorter.

 

[stampedingviking]

1000 goals is probably out of reach, but who knows with this guy? People have been writing him off since 2013 and he's as resilient as they come. Apparently he's announced that next season will be his last in the NHL, but I guess it's possible he'll change his mind and play one or two more.

This season, he's scoring at a 50+ goal clip. He's third in the League in goals playing for one of the best teams in the League. I think this season definitely adds to his career and legacy. Players usually don't add much this late, but I think it's possible (theoretically) for him to add even more.

Let's say he somehow maintains his pace since February or so of 2024 throughout next season, doesn't get hurt and scores over 50 goals and hits 950 career goals (possibly winning the Rocket Richard) and the Capitals are good again (not necessarily as good but one of the better teams in the EC). Would that be enough to solidify him as a top ten player all-time? What if he re-signs with WSH and puts up about 35 goals in 2027 and then hits 1000 goals the following season?

I know some already consider him a top ten player all-time and others will never put him ahead of guys like Crosby, Jagr, Bourque, Beliveau, Hull etc (even if he scored 1200 goals). But for those who see him in the range of players with an argument for top ten all-time, would hitting 950 or 1000 goals while remaining a top goal scorer in the League solidify him as a top ten player in NHL (or hockey) history?

I think a second Cup (with a solid to good playoff run) would really boost his legacy in some people's eyes. It could happen.

He's already top 10, he doesn't need anything else to boost his legacy.

 

[spcastlemagic]

I think he’s top 10 already… I can’t name 10 players I’d rather have than him or did more playing this game.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

He already is top-ten all-time. I think it's a question if he becomes one of the top-five all-time.

 

[GMR]

He’s easily top 10 already, Greatest Winger of All Time, scoring 950 would likely put him top 5.

1. Gretzky
2. Lemieux
3. Orr
4. Howe
5. Crosby
6. Ovechkin
7. Jagr
8. Beliveau
9. Richard

You realize that you ranked him behind Howe, who was also a winger?

 

[Demandedace]

Actually its about winning. And Sid did that more.

I didn’t realize Sid was the only guy on the ice for all of those playoff series - that’s crazy.

 

[Big Trout]

The question should be if he is top 5

 

[66-30-33]

He's already top 10, even before the season started IMO. Probably around number 7.

 

[jalapenoWithAnH]

How is he top 10? He is usually scoring from the same spot. A glorified Laine who uses his potato vodka filled torso to tackle players more than average forwards.

Great goal scorer but how has that benefitted 2010 or 2014 Russian Olympic team?

Sidney is the consistency chad who has won it all.