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

[Rusty8719]

I don't think you can bump Gordie here. 20 straight seasons as a top 5 scorer, 6 scoring titles, 6 Harts. We marvel at Crosby's PPG consistency and it is something else for sure, but Howe's streak is much more impressive.

Gretzky is the GOAT - I can't bump him.

It's then between Orr, Howe and Lemieux.

Lemieux is the clear second GOAT to me and he played enough games to show it.

Orr is the greatest defenseman of all time AND he probably had the biggest skill gap between first and second best defenseman of any era.

Despite Howes legendary accomplishments and lasting legacy, I think the other two make more sense for me.

With that said, in a couple years someone will have to go for McDavid on my list.

 

[TeeTee]

After his first 6 years, and seeing his goal totals, it's easy to see how somebody could place Ovi in the top 10. That said, watching him over the past dozen years places him outside of the top 10 in my opinion.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Hes already top ten because of the goal scoring, factor in his physical play and he also has a cup and it's a slam dunk.

 

[gtrower]

I'd have Sid ahead of him. It isn't by an outlandish margin, but it is by a margin. Ovechkin broke a storied record, but we are forgetting Sid broke a Gretzky record this year too. It showed his remarkable consistency/greatness. Hard to go wrong with either, but from a PPG standpoint you have to still take Sid.

This is extremely cringe. While Sid was achieving this per game statistic, Gretzky was following Ovechkin around the country.

Don’t get me wrong the mark is a testament to his longevity. But quite frankly, it’s embarrassing to try to mention it alongside 895.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

OV is definitely top-10 (not counting goalies).

Goalies are a separate category from skaters to me.

 

[Ford Prefect]

No, he’s not slam dunk. We’re not just ranking top 10 players of the last thirty years.

Very good point. Joe Malone scored 145 goals in the first 96 games. Which was 7 seasons. How do you extrapolate that? Maurice Richard played in an era where his first four seasons in the NHL, teams only played 50 games a year. The next 3 years it was 60. The balance of his career it was 70. Granted, Ovie lost one year from the 04-05 lockout, though that would have been his age 18 season. He also lost part of the lockout shortened 12-13 season.

Anyway, far too many differences between eras to say for sure. Unfortunately, those who saw the older generations play aren't talking (cause they're dead). Who is going to advocate for them?

 

[Randyne]

Anyway, far too many differences between eras to say for sure. Unfortunately, those who saw the older generations play aren't talking (cause they're dead). Who is going to advocate for them?

They played in a very tiny pool, clone them and they would be AHLers or amateurs.
Look at PPG/GPG top finishes. Canadians stopped dominating when Russians/Europeans start playing this league.

 

[Ford Prefect]

They played in a very tiny pool, clone them and they would be AHLers or amateurs.
Look at PPG/GPG top finishes. Canadians stopped dominating when Russians/Europeans start playing this league.

They did. But there also wasn't 672 players playing in the league shallowing the talent pool. And while the pool was small, doesn't mean that the best of an era can't match up with the best of another. Do you think there wasn't a single player from 1917-1972 that could have gone toe-to-toe with the best currently? Give the advantages of modern era training, equipment, sports medicine, diet, etc. and I'm sure a few of them would have been in the conversation. Alas, we'll never know.

I don't think they did. Best on best, we're still a tier above. Would have been interesting to see how Russia would have fared in the 4 Nations.

 

[Randyne]

Do you think there wasn't a single player from 1917-1972 that could have gone toe-to-toe with the best currently? Give the advantages of modern era training, equipment, sports medicine, diet, etc. and I'm sure a few of them would have been in the conversation. Alas, we'll never know.

That's not how it works.
Even today 99,9% of the world is not playing hockey. Give them all equipment, sports medicine, diet, etc. and among 4 billion men you will find 100 players better than McDavid or Ovechkin.
The thing is. Those players from the past didn't have todays level of competition. They didn't develop their limits to modern players, because their skill was enough to beat that tiny pool. No one challenged them to be even better than they were. That's why they all worse than modern players.

 

[TheLegend27]

After his first 6 years, and seeing his goal totals, it's easy to see how somebody could place Ovi in the top 10. That said, watching him over the past dozen years places him outside of the top 10 in my opinion.

Many people value those six years very highly. To me, his peak was the second greatest I’ve ever saw or in other words since 2000. Many elite players have glimpses during games which make them stand out, but Ovi was creating chances for himself and others every game by himself. I can’t name 10 players who peaked higher than him, and his longevity adds to it.

 

[Auston Marlander]

He's top 10 if he retires today.

 

[Statto]

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.

I think he’d need to start taking a lot of PED’s to get to 1000. I think 950 is possible. He’s already top 10.

 

[plattnacken]

I think career totals are overrated. Seasons playing as the best, or one of the very best players in the league, should matter much more. Prime years.
Adding point in later years when you're not even a top 10 player anymore, doesn't add much to the all time rankings in my opinion.

Take Jagr for example. You could remove his last 10 seasons and it should have very little impact on his all-time status.

 

[Randyne]

I think he’d need to start taking a lot of PED’s to get to 1000. I think 950 is possible. He’s already top 10.

Why?
He doesn't need to run like a horse to score goals.
This season it took only 3.9 miles per goal.
For comparison, Sid needed 2 times more: 8.2 miles per goal.
Ovi is the most consistent goalscorers of all time. He can score 1000 at will.
And he doesn't need 1000 to be in top10. Adjusted he already has 999.
Ovechkin has #3 biggest hardware all-time, would easily be #2 if NHL didn't missed games.
He has 11 (#3 all-time) Top1 finishes by PPG(3)+GPG(8), only WG and ML have more.
He has 25 (#3 all-time) Top10 finishes by PPG(8)+GPG(17), only GH and WG have more.

 

[Crosby2010]

This is extremely cringe. While Sid was achieving this per game statistic, Gretzky was following Ovechkin around the country.

Don’t get me wrong the mark is a testament to his longevity. But quite frankly, it’s embarrassing to try to mention it alongside 895.

I wasn't saying it was comparable when it came to interest, I am just saying that despite the 895 Crosby has still had the better career.