Ovechkin is now halfway to Gretzky!

[Jeti]

I suspect Ovechkin will drop off pretty hard in his later years. His game relies too much on speed and athleticism and he's not the most intelligent player (relative to all-time greats). He has been fortunate to stay relatively injury-free throughout his career though.

700 is a big enough milestone to aim for, nevermind Gretzky's records.

 

[revolverjgw]

He won't score anywhere near 895 goals but he has a legit shot at being the greatest goal scorer of all time anyway.

 

[Mulletman]

When Selanne was the same age as Ovechkin is now he still managed to score 354 goals in the NHL. Ovechkin has outscored Selanne in his 20s, if he can just finish his career like Selanne he will end up with 801 goals. So breaking Gretzky's record shouldn't be that hard for Ovechkin if he can just continue to outscore Selanne like he's done so far in his career...

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I do not belive that AO will play anywhere near 10 years more. 4-6 is more likely. And his decline will be fast and brutal.

We'll see

 

[trick9]

When Selanne was the same age as Ovechkin is now he still managed to score 354 goals in the NHL. Ovechkin has outscored Selanne in his 20s, if he can just finish his career like Selanne he will end up with 801 goals. So breaking Gretzky's record shouldn't be that hard for Ovechkin if he can just continue to outscore Selanne like he's done so far in his career...

Selanne and his decline is terrible comparison to Ovechkin.

One had major injury problems, one of which was at the time thought to be career-ending knee injury, and the other has not had 1 major injury during his career.

Let's not act like he has chance to break Gretzky's record though. The era's are very different and there will never be player again that cracks 890 goals. Ovechkin has small chance of breaking 800 which in my books is the greatest goal-scorer of all time already.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Since coming into the league the guy's got four Richards, has never been outside the top five for goals and outside the top ten for points only once. For all the crap he takes this guy has been an absolute machine.

Easily already a first ballot HOFer and that's incredible for a 30 year old.

As for Gretzky's record, it's very unlikely but he does have a shot at it.

 

[Rebels57]

I do not belive that AO will play anywhere near 10 years more. 4-6 is more likely. And his decline will be fast and brutal.

Other then your own hunch, which has zero credibility, what are you basing this on?

 

[Luca]

Other then your own hunch, which has zero credibility, what are you basing this on?

Careers of similar players. Ao style of play. Etc... Btw. Do someone else in this thread have a ****ing time machine that makes their guesess so much better?

 

[FinRuutu]

Careers of similar players. Ao style of play. Etc... Btw. Do someone else in this thread have a ****ing time machine that makes their guesess so much better?

List those similar player you're basing your guess on.

 

[Baby Ryan]

I do not belive that AO will play anywhere near 10 years more. 4-6 is more likely. And his decline will be fast and brutal.

Quite the bold prediction you have there.

Don't think he'll break Gretzky's record, but I'm willing to bet he'll get 700.

 

[Mulletman]

Why are people still expecting so little from Alex Ovechkin?

 

[TrillMike]

Great player. Might hit 700. To the 13.5 seasons note in the OP: I highly doubt he plays even 10 more seasons.

 

[izzy]

LOL. 600 max and even that is unlikely.

He would need to suffer a career ending injury soon to not hit 600.

 

[ForzaItalia]

I think with Ovechkin it will come down more to hunger than health. To me he seems like the kind of guy who can walk away from the game to enjoy life and do other things beyond hockey.

 

[Frank Drebin]

What would Gretzky's career total look like adjusted to OV's scoring era?

 

[BackToTheBasics]

I suspect Ovechkin will drop off pretty hard in his later years. His game relies too much on speed and athleticism and he's not the most intelligent player (relative to all-time greats). He has been fortunate to stay relatively injury-free throughout his career though.

700 is a big enough milestone to aim for, nevermind Gretzky's records.

DoMILwIDDdI



He relied on athleticism here, right?

 

[BackToTheBasics]

He relied on athleticism here, right?

 

[habscup*]

He'll most likely get 700-750. Who knows though, there's been a few super fast declines from 100 point guys to barely roster players, like Heatley and Lecavalier.

Heatley and Lecavalier were never close to being as talented as Ovechkin. Please don't compare.

 

[Sam Spade]

he is edging closer to be a slam dunk for the hall of fame--but I do not see him matching gretz

"Edging closer"?

If Ovechkin never plays another game in the NHL he is a first ballot HOF'er.

He wont come close to Gretzky but 700 might be in the realm of possibility, which in my mind would make him the second or third greatest goal scorer in NHL history.

 

[Rebuilt]

To put this in perspective, Gretzky broke Howes 800 plus goal scoring record when he was 33 years old. He broke Howes point record of 1800 plus when he was 28 years old.

I think Gretzky has more assists than any other player has points .

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

5 Richards would put him second all time?

 

[habscup*]

Since coming into the league the guy's got four Richards, has never been outside the top five for goals and outside the top ten for points only once. For all the crap he takes this guy has been an absolute machine.

Easily already a first ballot HOFer and that's incredible for a 30 year old.

As for Gretzky's record, it's very unlikely but he does have a shot at it.

Correction, 2010-11 Ovechkin only had 32 goals, putting him at 14th.

 

[habscup*]

5 Richards would put him second all time?

Rocket Richard actually lead the league in goals 6 times. And of course Gretzky. There may be others but I doubt it.

 

[Bill Waters*]

To put this in perspective, Gretzky broke Howes 800 plus goal scoring record when he was 33 years old. He broke Howes point record of 1800 plus when he was 28 years old.

I think Gretzky has more assists than any other player has points .

the Greatest of All time. [period]

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Rocket Richard actually lead the league in goals 6 times. And of course Gretzky. There may be others but I doubt it.

I know bobby hull led 7 times. I thought the rocket only led 5 times