Ovechkin milestone thread - 850 and Beyond!

[TheAngryHank]

Power forwards had to fight?
I don't recall John LeClair fighting in the 1990s. Tim Kerr maybe had 2-3 fights a year on average. Kevin Stevens wasnt much of a fighter.

Shannyn ring a bell?

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Top 10 player all time easily

 

[Dessloch]

They will have to save that for next game as the NHL has removed the assists on that PP goal in the 3rd based on the same criteria they removed Crosbys 5th point against the Flyers. At least they are consistent atm with that.

 

[TJHKY]

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[TJHKY]

 

[ViD]

assuming he scores 10 more this season, he will need to score 23 a year before the end of his current contract, sounds very doable

 

[Gnome17]

What are the odds this year was more of a typical dip for him rather than age related?

If you look at Ovies goalscoring it has dipped a couple times throughout his career, he went from 50 goals in 09-10 (in 72 games) to only 32 in 10-11.
He went from 50 goals in 15-16, to only 33 in 16-17.
Seems about time for him to have another down year, from 42 last year to 20-something this year.
Age will take its toll but I have hopes he rebounds next year to 30+.

 

[WarriorofTime]

assuming he scores 10 more this season, he will need to score 23 a year before the end of his current contract, sounds very doable

how bout 50 next year to do it in style

 

[M2Beezy]

Man I love this player

Rallies the Caps back into the game who now have the lead which he has two points so far

 

[TJHKY]

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

(Lost more than a few brain cells reading the last few pages of this thread... Yikes.)

For those of you who follow the Caps (I don't), what's the difference in Ovechkin's play since the All Star break that he's suddenly producing again (for now, anyway)?

Is he (a) not noticeably doing anything different, except scoring more, which perhaps suggests his body needed a rest?; or (b) is he doing something noticeably different?

He seems to be moving a bit better overall. Skating wise, seems like he can pick up speed a bit better, and his shot appears to be mostly back to normal.

The problem before the break is that he was not only much slower than the competition, but his body looked very stiff even doing what he does best from his spot.

He’s still a 38 year old man with well over 1,500 games of professional hockey taking their toll on his body, but I’m reassured by this resurgence.

He now sits 55 goals away from the record after a starting a huge comeback win.

 

[andrjusha]

just a gonchar away...

 

[TJHKY]

 

[WarriorofTime]

View attachment 827848

Everyone always be like "oh those kids were the *real* conformists they were all just following the crowd by standing up" but no, you can see right there in that image.. only about half the boys are standing. The others are still clearly sitting with their heads down so they don't get in trouble with the headmaster.

 

[kugelbahn]

What are the odds this year was more of a typical dip for him rather than age related?

If you look at Ovies goalscoring it has dipped a couple times throughout his career, he went from 50 goals in 09-10 (in 72 games) to only 32 in 10-11.
He went from 50 goals in 15-16, to only 33 in 16-17.
Seems about time for him to have another down year, from 42 last year to 20-something this year.
Age will take its toll but I have hopes he rebounds next year to 30+.

Yeah, even McJesus dips, on pace for 32 goals after 64 last season.
Both missed some games, might have been playing hurt.

 

[WarriorofTime]

This guy definitely waited a whole year to post this.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Shouldn’t surprise anyone when Ovi breaks the record next season

 

[PM88RU]

Being the greatest goal scorer, barring injuries, I expect him to establish at least 1 more age-related record (like the moat goals scored after age 38 or smth), especially considering the scoring increase.

And if he manages to break the record in the next season, that will surely be a cherry on top.

 

[winnipegger]

Starting to believe he will break it now. He just needs to put in 20 - 30 a year for his twilight years to do it. He will do it this year ...

 

[Section 104]

What if Ovechkin is one of these ultra rare players that can play in the NHL until his mid 40s like Gordie Howe, Jagomir Jagr or Chris Chelios?

 

[BallardEra]

What if Ovechkin is one of these ultra rare players that can play in the NHL until his mid 40s like Gordie Howe, Jagomir Jagr or Chris Chelios?

I think he walks away after his current contract is done.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

What if Ovechkin is one of these ultra rare players that can play in the NHL until his mid 40s like Gordie Howe, Jagomir Jagr or Chris Chelios?

I think he could but won’t want to and will retire well before that. I’ve said for a while now that if he wants to hit 1000 he could do it. But I don’t anticipate him playing long enough, or even past his current contract. My guess is he gets around 920 goals and hangs them up in 2 years.

 

[Sun God Nika]

What if Ovechkin is one of these ultra rare players that can play in the NHL until his mid 40s like Gordie Howe, Jagomir Jagr or Chris Chelios?

Doesn't need to go mid. Playing till 41-42 will be enough.

expecting diet and training changes from him from this offseason with him realizing how his body is slowing down now. Should be a bump next year.

 

[Acallabeth]

What if Ovechkin is one of these ultra rare players that can play in the NHL until his mid 40s like Gordie Howe, Jagomir Jagr or Chris Chelios?

I think Ovechkin retires after the season he breaks Gretzky's record (God willing). He still has the ability to play on a high level, and obviously enjoys playing and scoring, but with his career-long quests fulfilled (Stanley Cup and the goals record), I doubt there will be much motivation for him to keep playing. Don't forget that he's been playing in pro leagues since 16.