Is Ovechkin the greatest LW ever?
- Thread starter Johnnydrama21
- Start date
jigglysquishy
Registered User
He's easily behind Hull and arguably behind Lindsay as well.
Maybe Ovi beats out Hull by the time of retirement, but he would need a few more elite seasons and longevity to do so.
Maybe Ovi beats out Hull by the time of retirement, but he would need a few more elite seasons and longevity to do so.
Plural
Registered User
- Mar 10, 2011
- 33,830
- 5,017
It's almost a pipe dream that Ovechkin beats Hull. He will beat Lindsay for sure. But Hull will likely be ahead when Ovechkin hangs them up.
Melkor
Registered User
I wonder how people can compare players from different eras with that kind of ease. When Lindsay was playing? Was that an era of the dinosaurs or earlier?
StronGeer
Registered User
drganon
Registered User
- Jun 24, 2014
- 912
- 26
Bee Sheriff
Bad Boy Postingâ„¢
Fantomas
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2012
- 13,642
- 7,265
Hull had tremendous longevity, which Ovechkin might need to match. But Ovechkin already has a more impressive trophy collection (three Harts to Hull's two).
Fantomas
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2012
- 13,642
- 7,265
While he didn't win an award for it, Hull led the NHL in scoring seven times in his career, and a few more in the WHA (while that doesn't hold much weight, I'd argue it shows Hull could have competed for more titles in the NHL those years). Ovechkin may have the advantage in Hart Trophies, but he still needs a few more goal titles to catch Hull. Plus playing at a rather high level for nearly two decades. Both are possible though so we'll see where he ends up. Definitely top-2 in the end, I'd argue.
Sensinitis
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2012
- 15,979
- 5,587
EagleBelfour
Registered User
jpchabby
Drive for 25
- Mar 3, 2006
- 3,803
- 79
I hate to make predictions like that, but IMO he will.
After this season, Oveckin will already be close to 500 goals scored in his career, and he won't even be 30 years old at that moment.
He may not be as insane as in 2009 or 2010, but he's still incredibly effective in terms of goal scoring. In all probability, he'll break the 700 goal mark in his career, and that is simply incredible in the low scoring era we are in (compared, for example, to the 80s).
After this season, Oveckin will already be close to 500 goals scored in his career, and he won't even be 30 years old at that moment.
He may not be as insane as in 2009 or 2010, but he's still incredibly effective in terms of goal scoring. In all probability, he'll break the 700 goal mark in his career, and that is simply incredible in the low scoring era we are in (compared, for example, to the 80s).
Frank the Tank
The Godfather
Recently the HF History board (who debates these things seriously) rated Ovechkin the 9th best winger of all-time. I am sure he has the chance to move up a bit as his career progresses.
As a winger he isn't even as good as Bure so no he will never be the best.Especially if you say best winger
ted2019
History of Hockey
ted2019
History of Hockey
It always gives me a laugh
I find it funny as well. IF ( and that's a big if) Ovechkin ages well, He could maybe challenge Hull as the best LW ever. If Ovechkin plays well enough, he should pass Lindsay.
drganon
Registered User
- Jun 24, 2014
- 912
- 26
Bure was a RW. Ovechkin is a LW. The thread is will ovechkin go down as the best LW. Also, Ovechkin>Bure.
EichHart
Registered User
Ovi had a few shady seasons defensively, but earlier in his career he was a league leader in hits, as well as goals. He was the most dominate player at one time. I'd say it's too early to tell, but he very well could be the greatest LW of all time
Plural
Registered User
- Mar 10, 2011
- 33,830
- 5,017
In this discussion, you can forget him. You could do it a long time a go. Ovechkin passed Robitaille long time a go.
Well, trophy counting alone is not a really good way to evaluate players.
Ovechkin plays in a league with more parity, but if we do a straight up comparison between them:
Hart Trophies:
Hull: 2
Ovechkin: 3
Art Ross trophies:
Hull: 3
Ovechkin: 1
Rocket (or retro Rocket)
Hull: 7
Ovechkin: 4 and counting
All-Star selections:
Hull: 10X 1st team, 2X 2nd team
Ovechkin: 6X 1st team, 2X 2nd team
Point finishes:
Hull: 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th
Ovechkin: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 7th, 8th
Goal finishes:
Hull: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Ovechkin: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
So, Ovechkin is on his way to getting close. But it will take a big effort to match Hull and even bigger to get past him. Bobby Hull is arguably (not in my mind, but arguably) 5th greatest player to ever play the game. Being behind him is not shame at all.
