Ovechkin is now halfway to Gretzky!

[Mulletman]

He's 29 and plays physical. I think they were saying tonight he's 6th leaguewide in hits.I doubt he can keep that up 10 more years, but prove me wrong.

He doesn't need to keep hitting. Ovechkin has the manliest slapshot in the whole league. As long as he has that shot he'll be fine. And so far Ovechkin has played in 725 games out of 750. Out of the 25 games that he's missed a lot have been games that he missed because of suspentions. Ovechkin is not made out of glass like Forsberg, Lindros, Malkin or Crosby. He's more like Gordie Howe. And Howe by the way scored over 400 goals after he turned 30...

 

[Mister Ed]

He doesn't need to keep hitting. Ovechkin has the manliest slapshot in the whole league. As long as he has that shot he'll be fine. And so far Ovechkin has played in 725 games out of 750. Out of the 25 games that he's missed a lot have been games that he missed because of suspentions. Ovechkin is not made out of glass like Forsberg, Lindros, Malkin or Crosby. He's more like Gordie Howe. And Howe by the way scored over 400 goals after he turned 30...

1. I'm not sure what that even means
2. No one will play like Gordie Howe, he played hockey until he was 51.

He's not made out of glass right now, but injuries do happen. I'm not saying he won't reach his potential in goals, but he's against father time.

 

[Ace Rothstein]

Love the indirect comparisons of Ovechkin to Lecavalier and Heatley. Keep it up HF.

Nobody has said that Ovechkin is the next Lecavalier or Heatley, posters are just using caution in predicting future performance as some guys seemingly fall apart overnight.

 

[Voight]

He's never going to reach Lemieux status, much less Gretzky. Prime Lemieux was scoring at a rate of about one goal per game. That's what Ovechkin would need to do to reach Lemieux status but Ovechkin is already past his prime. If he gets 700 it will be quite the accomplishment but he's no Lemieux.

How exactly is he past his prime? He's won the Richard the last two years and won the Hart the season before last.

He's 29 and plays physical. I think they were saying tonight he's 6th leaguewide in hits.I doubt he can keep that up 10 more years, but prove me wrong.

It about his goal scoring not his hits. He can stop playing physical and focus on scoring goals when her etches his mid 30s and be just fine.

 

[smackdaddy]

I doubt he lasts another 10 years and if he does it's doubtful he'll be half as effective.

 

[Riddum]

Gretzky scored 583 in the same amount of time.No O.V. will not catch Gretzky.

Gretzky sucks and is overrated. He wouldn't even score 10 goals in the current NHL.

 

[Sam Spade]

Gretzky sucks and is overrated. He wouldn't even score 10 goals in the current NHL.

I don't know, even though he just became a grandfather, I really think he could do it.

 

[Bending and Tending]

1. I'm not sure what that even means
2. No one will play like Gordie Howe, he played hockey until he was 51.

He's not made out of glass right now, but injuries do happen. I'm not saying he won't reach his potential in goals, but he's against father time.

1. This should have been obvious, but Mulletman meant that he has a really good shot
2. This, also, should have been obvious, but he didn't say Ovechkin would be playing at 51. He just meant he's a tough dude when it comes to physical ailments and limitations and that he can play at an older age (obviously barring injury)

 

[Plural]

I don't know, even though he just became a grandfather, I really think he could do it.

I'm pretty sure he could bank off 10 goals from opposing team skates. But not much more. But you are right, dude is a grandfather. In his prime? That's a different story.

 

[Frank Garrett]

1. I'm not sure what that even means
2. No one will play like Gordie Howe, he played hockey until he was 51.

He's not made out of glass right now, but injuries do happen. I'm not saying he won't reach his potential in goals, but he's against father time.

You're laughing now, but one day a ugly-assed, toothless Ovechkin with a long, white-haired skullet will lace 'em up at age 86 and prove you wrong.

And all with a smile on his face.

 

[Plural]

You're laughing now, but one day a ugly-assed, toothless Ovechkin with a long, white-haired skullet will lace 'em up at age 86 and prove you wrong.

And all with a smile on his face.

And it's going to be one ugly smile to look at. Effective, but ugly.

 

[BallardEra]

LOL. 600 max and even that is unlikely.

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.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Would be awesome if he got close. Go Ovi!

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Think he would have to play till he is 60 to beat Wayne, so it is not going happen

 

[Auston Marlander]

LOL. 600 max and even that is unlikely.

This aged well.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

Think he would have to play till he is 60 to beat Wayne, so it is not going happen

He’s 268 away and is 33 years old, and the only significant time he’s missed has been due to lockouts.

If he plays 7 more seasons he’d have to average 38 goals to tie it, and for anyone else I’d say it’s a reach, but Ovi is Ovi, plus he’s a tank. I really see no reason why he can’t do it unless he goes to Russia at some point.

 

[BallardEra]

Very interesting posts both ways as I read through this topic. Figured it deserved a bump to revisit said posts.

 

[Henchmen 21]

That's crazy that he is only half way to Wayne.

Hockey strikes have hurt his production a little bit.

In 2004-05, if he had played (big if but possible) he might have got 30 goals. (No Calder trophy, though. )

The second moronic strike cost him 34 games. He scored 32 goals in 48 games. At that pace he would have scored about 55 goals so he lost about 23 goals. So 53 lost goals through no fault of his own.

So, he conceivably could have been on about 500 goals right now.

He currently has 6 years left on his contract. (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21)

If he were to score 40 goals a season on average he'd end up with 740 goals. (1 behind Brett Hull for 3rd all time) If he were to play 5 more seasons and averaged 30 goals a season he'd end up with 890 goals. Still slightly behind Gretzky's 894.

That would have to include a lot of things going right as far as injuries go, of course. Also, I'm not sure he'll be able to sustain that kind of production. Plus, I have the feeling he'd like to play in Russia after his contract is up.

Without the 53 lost goals he'd be sitting on 837 goals which would 2nd all time.

Anyway, I definitely think 700 goals is doable if he stays healthy and plays a little longer in the NHL after his contract expires. At 40 goals a season for the rest of his contract he'd have 687 goals which would be 3 goals behind Lemieux for 10th all time and 7 behind Messier for 8th all time.

In terms of pure goal scorers i think the conversation is now Ovechkin 1st, Hull second. The only game I've ever been to was the caps/Leafs game 6 and Ovechkin was in a class of his own that night, it has been a true privilege to grow up watching Ovie do his thing.

 

[BallardEra]

He’s 268 away and is 33 years old, and the only significant time he’s missed has been due to lockouts.

If he plays 7 more seasons he’d have to average 38 goals to tie it, and for anyone else I’d say it’s a reach, but Ovi is Ovi, plus he’s a tank. I really see no reason why he can’t do it unless he goes to Russia at some point.

Actually let's say 31 more goals this season if he hits 50. That takes him to 657 and leaves him 237 goals behind Gretzky.

237/7 seasons = 33.86 goals/season.

 

[Thenameless]

Very interesting posts both ways as I read through this topic. Figured it deserved a bump to revisit said posts.

Yep, lot's of eating crow here. Admittedly, even I didn't think that he'd produce the way he has, for the past 3-4 years. That, paired with his big contribution to the Cup win, has really elevated his all-time status. I hope he doesn't hit a wall anytime soon. It would be nice to see him hit 700 in the next couple of years while still playing at relatively high level.

 

[Koivu11]

I really think he can break the record if he plays until he’s 41-42.

 

[Daximus]

Yep, lot's of eating crow here. Admittedly, even I didn't think that he'd produce the way he has, for the past 3-4 years. That, paired with his big contribution to the Cup win, has really elevated his all-time status. I hope he doesn't hit a wall anytime soon. It would be nice to see him hit 700 in the next couple of years while still playing at relatively high level.

The shitty thing about it is if it wasn't for a lockout and a half he might be a lot closer to 700 already. He also had those 3 down years which he still scored over 30 in each of them but they were down years by his standards none the less.

 

[Daximus]

I really think he can break the record if he plays until he’s 41-42.

I just hope he sticks it out in the NHL and doesn't leave for Russia. At this point he is playing to further cement his status as one of the best all time. Sticking it out until he retires in the NHL is going to do that for him far more than going back to Russia will.

 

[Paris in Flames]

I initially didn't realize this was bumped and was real shocked to hear Ovi had 13 years of hockey left.

 

[GOilers88]

Nobody will ever match Gretzky in goals, assists or points. Ever.