Ovechkin is now halfway to Gretzky!

[Taak19]

Truly an amazing player. One of the best of this generation for sure.

 

[revolverjgw]

never had 50 in 50 and never had 70 so no he won't

He doesn't need to, it's not 1985 anymore. If Ovechkin was playing in a league with 7.5-8 goals a game, he'd be able to do that. The important thing is that he dominates his own era, which has maybe 5 and a half goals a game. Goal totals mean nothing without context. Gordie Howe's best season was 49 goals in 70 games... tons of random guys from the 80s blew away that pace, so should they be ranked higher than Howe?

 

[Jyrki]

So long as he can destroy the puck from the left circle he should hit 700 by the end of his career. It's viable for him to pass Brett Hull.

 

[longchange]

With a goal against the Stars Ovechkin now has 447 goals in the NHL. That's exactly half of what Gretzky scored. It took Ovechkin 9 and a ½ seasons, or actually 9 seasons if you count the 2012-13 lockout, to score 447. Ovechkin still has about 13 and a ½ season of hockey left so the question is, can he score another 447 goals to reach Gretzky? If not, how close will he come?

First of all, how does Ovechkin still have about 13.5 seasons left? That will make him 42...there's absolutely no guarantee he even plays until 40 let alone 42.

Anyways, Gretzky reached 472 goals in 545 games while Ovechkin reached 447 in 724. Guys slow down considerably as they get older. Ovy definitely won't be able to reproduce his first few seasons in the league again on a consistent basis. Even this year he's on pace for about 45 (if he stays healthy and doesn't miss a game). That means he needs 9-10 seasons at the pace of this season, without any injuries, to break Gretzky.

Personally, I'd predict he gets about 800-830 which is still pretty damn amazing.

 

[ViD]

He'll probably never win another Richard, and I doubt he can be a ppg player from here on out, but he was quite successful early on in his career. I can see him getting 600 before he retires.

you realize he's got 9 goals in 10 last games and he's only 3 goals shy of the leading scorer right now?

 

[CapsCrazyX17]

What is it about Ovi where people can't just be happy for his accomplishments and have to find some way of putting him down? Instead of celebrating a great accomplishment for an NHL player, we get a bunch of Ovechkin haters coming in here to give us their bold expert opinions on how he's going to bolt to the KHL or his production will fall off a cliff anyday now or that he's never going to win another Richard again even though he's right in the mix these days

 

[Mypetrobot]

HHOF isn't just nhl either. It's for hockey as a sport correct? So I say he's in regardless.

 

[ForzaItalia]

What is it about Ovi where people can't just be happy for his accomplishments and have to find some way of putting him down? Instead of celebrating a great accomplishment for an NHL player, we get a bunch of Ovechkin haters coming in here to give us their bold expert opinions on how he's going to bolt to the KHL or his production will fall off a cliff anyday now or that he's never going to win another Richard again even though he's right in the mix these days

Some of it has to do with him being Russian and some of it because he's good. Crosby gets a lot of hate too as do the other good players. At the end of the day, why let it get to you man. Trolls will always troll.

 

[leafsfuture]

If Ovi decided to stop playing hockey right now, he would be in 2018 HHOF class.

People can talk about his "decline" and what not, but the reality is that his Hardware collection beats Sid right now, and he has the biggest collection of individual awards since Mario:
- 3 Hart Trophy's
- 3 Lindseys
- 1 Art Ross
- 4 Rocket Richards

Also, the year he scored 65 goals, only one other guy, another future HHOFer Jarome Iginla hit 50, and he had 50 right on the dot. So he had 30% more goals than the next best guy. People love to rave about Pavel Pure's 59 goals in the dead puck era, but those seasons Jagr and Sakic also had 50+ goal seasons.

That 65 goal year might be the best goal scoring season we have seen from anyone not named Mario or Wayne. And yes that includes the great Brett Hull.

Ovi was also the face of the NHL along with Sid, and the face of Russian hockey. I believe he will go down as one of the best 50 players to ever play this sport

 

[iamjs]

First of all, how does Ovechkin still have about 13.5 seasons left? That will make him 42...there's absolutely no guarantee he even plays until 40 let alone 42.

Anyways, Gretzky reached 472 goals in 545 games while Ovechkin reached 447 in 724. Guys slow down considerably as they get older. Ovy definitely won't be able to reproduce his first few seasons in the league again on a consistent basis. Even this year he's on pace for about 45 (if he stays healthy and doesn't miss a game). That means he needs 9-10 seasons at the pace of this season, without any injuries, to break Gretzky.

Personally, I'd predict he gets about 800-830 which is still pretty damn amazing.

Even at the low end of your prediction with 800 goals, that's saying he will average 39.2 goals a season for the next nine seasons or 35.3 goals for the next ten seasons. Although Ovi does have that 40-50 goal potential for a few more seasons, there's no way that type of production is sustainable into his mid to late 30s.

Also something to keep in mind with Fehr being in charge of the NHLPA is that we'll probably have another lockout in 2022.

 

[revolverjgw]

If Ovi decided to stop playing hockey right now, he would be in 2018 HHOF class.

People can talk about his "decline" and what not, but the reality is that his Hardware collection beats Sid right now, and he has the biggest collection of individual awards since Mario:
- 3 Hart Trophy's
- 3 Lindseys
- 1 Art Ross
- 4 Rocket Richards

Also, the year he scored 65 goals, only one other guy, another future HHOFer Jarome Iginla hit 50, and he had 50 right on the dot. So he had 30% more goals than the next best guy. People love to rave about Pavel Pure's 59 goals in the dead puck era, but those seasons Jagr and Sakic also had 50+ goal seasons.

That 65 goal year might be the best goal scoring season we have seen from anyone not named Mario or Wayne. And yes that includes the great Brett Hull.

Ovi was also the face of the NHL along with Sid, and the face of Russian hockey. I believe he will go down as one of the best 50 players to ever play this sport

I'd put Hull's 86 goals above Gretzky's 92 goals. Scoring was significantly lower in 91 than 82 and he was 35 goals ahead of anybody else, the biggest gap ever. I agree that Ovechkin's 65 goal year is right up there with the best, it's Gretzky/Lemieux caliber.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

you realize he's got 9 goals in 10 last games and he's only 3 goals shy of the leading scorer right now?

This guy is the #1 Ovechkin hater out there. He's a bad troll, he doesn't deserve the attention you gave him. Carry on my friend

 

[ForzaItalia]

Kovalchuk had 52 goals in that season when Ovie had 65.

 

[Voight]

Kovalchuk had 52 goals in that season when Ovie had 65.

Not going to do the math but thats still like 25-28% more.


Why do people think it'll be so hard for him to reach 600? He only needs 153 goals over the next 10 years to reach 600. Thats 15 per season which is nothing for him.

I think he can get to 700, theres no way he'll go back to Russia when his contract is done if he's close to climbing up the goals/points lists. People keep saying he'll decline but I really don't see any evidence elf that happening.

I swear to God all his criticism comes from having one season below 80 points (65). (I know he had 79 last year, but gimme a break thats a secondary assist from 80 pts). Still managed 38 goals that "bad year."

 

[golfortennis]

I hate Ovechkin as much as anyone. I think it's a joke that he won the Hart trophy in 2013, and it's a pipe dream that anyone thinks the Ovechkin-Crosby debate is still a viable debate.

Having said all that, anyone who thinks Ovechkin is not a first ballot HoFer right now needs their head examined.

 

[Sam Spade]

I hate Ovechkin as much as anyone. I think it's a joke that he won the Hart trophy in 2013, and it's a pipe dream that anyone thinks the Ovechkin-Crosby debate is still a viable debate.

I don't know, have you watched them both play THIS season? It is only half way through the season but if things keep going how they are the "debate" may have to be re-opened.

Of course they are both phenomenal players so it really is like arguing which ice cream flavor is the best.

 

[illpucks]

it's a pipe dream that anyone thinks the Ovechkin-Crosby debate is still a viable debate.

Maybe last season, with the -35 and all. But this season Ovechkin is arguably the best player on planet Earth! He is solid defensively and has been very good offensively. His stats could be better but his level of play has been excellent.

 

[Eisen]

if he can score 700 goals in his career, that will be an incredible achievement

This. The scoring environment is just too different.

 

[Eisen]

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.

His shot will not deteriorate. He will be a PP mainstay for a long time.

 

[Eisen]

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

He will not. There is still Gretzky.

 

[Eisen]

He doesn't need to, it's not 1985 anymore. If Ovechkin was playing in a league with 7.5-8 goals a game, he'd be able to do that. The important thing is that he dominates his own era, which has maybe 5 and a half goals a game. Goal totals mean nothing without context. Gordie Howe's best season was 49 goals in 70 games... tons of random guys from the 80s blew away that pace, so should they be ranked higher than Howe?

Don't ask this question. You will get answers you don't want to hear.

 

[SchultzSquared*]

Thought experiment...

1X 50 goal season (this one so +25)
3 X 40 goal season (say average 42)
3 X 30 goal season (say again average 32)
3 X 20 goal season (20 on the nose to allow for a poor last couple years)

== 754 (3rd alltime)

I could see Ovy padding on a couple years ala Brodeur to try to beat Howe... but barring 60 goal seasons in his 30s he will not come close to 99

 

[Fantomas]

I believe Gretzky reached that number by age 25. Ovechkin is 29, so unless he pulls a Selanne, reversing his current career trajectory and getting better into his late 30s he won't be getting very close to Gretzky.

Selanne did not get better into his late 30s.

 

[SuperGenius]

What is it about Ovi where people can't just be happy for his accomplishments and have to find some way of putting him down? Instead of celebrating a great accomplishment for an NHL player, we get a bunch of Ovechkin haters coming in here to give us their bold expert opinions on how he's going to bolt to the KHL or his production will fall off a cliff anyday now or that he's never going to win another Richard again even though he's right in the mix these days

No idea. Love the guy and the way he plays. One of the truly 'fun' players to watch. For me, anyway, and not all great players are really fun to watch. Crosby, for example, is amazing, but not particularly fun to watch, IMO. I guess I just enjoy the passion with which he plays and he seems invigorated with Trotz.

 

[chi777]

700 is feasible. Catching Hull could be stretch. Hull would probably be a pretty good comparable. Ovi could probably just stand around and hammer shots on goal from the top of the faceoff circle until he's 45.

The short term question is: is he playing himself back into the Hart conversation for this year?