Will Ovi breaking Gretzky's goalscoring record change or influence his legacy?
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dukeofjive
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The only difference for me is that its going to be harder for is detractors to claim ovy was not that great.
I don't know about that. What does getting past Gretzky's mark really change from where he is today? I suppose with the casual observer it might, but with a knowledgeable person paying attention, it really shouldn't.
That does mean two knowledgeable people couldn't have completely different views, I simply think neither of those views would really change. So, if someone has him as 7th or 8th greatest of all time today, I don't see why passing Gretzky would move him up to 5th or 6th because of that, same way I don't see someone that has him 15th all time would feel inclined to move the needle either (full disclaimer.....I'm simply making up those placements, I haven't thought much about where he'd fall).
kugelbahn
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- Feb 15, 2018
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If fan is really knowledgeble - it will. They would know not only "what": broke record, but also "how": by keeping 50 goals pace through 18+ years career.
Each extra year he keeps his unprecedented scoring pace adds to his legacy.
Ovi is not simply stats accumulator or high scoring era benefactor, he will get this record in unique style
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Hold still while I send a puck to your face
Mike C
Registered User
He's still unlikeable and will never have the charm and appeal of the Great One no matter what the hell records he setsIf fan is really knowledgeble - it will. They would know not only "what": broke record, but also "how": by keeping 50 goals pace through 18+ years career.
Each extra year he keeps his unprecedented scoring pace adds to his legacy.
Ovi is not simply stats accumulator or high scoring era benefactor, he will get this record in unique style
Some of us still do!
The Grim Reaper
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Unlikable? No charm? What? Everyone except Don Cherry finds the guy likable.
ArGarBarGar
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I haven't particularly been much of a fan of his, based on aspects that aren't to be discussed here.
Mike C
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Praetorian Caps
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Putting bias aside Ovie would/will go down as the second greatest player of all time, only to The Great One.
Bear of Bad News
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How, exactly, does one accomplish this as a Capitals fan speaking on Ovechkin? (Other than perhaps "not well" in this case.)
blundluntman
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Mike C
Registered User
Ovie's number to beat is actually 1072, which was the total of Gretzky's NHL regular season and playoff goals plus the WHA tallies. His very last goal set the all-time professional record when he beat Howe's 1071.
Ovechkin's at 894 total goals (excluding the KHL) so he needs 179. Assuming he has four years to go, and the Capitals being not really much of a playoff team anymore, that's going to be a huge hill to climb.
But he doesn't need to beat that because he's already the greatest goal scorer of all time, he has like 9 Rockets. It doesn't infringe on Gretzky's legacy because he has more assists than anyone has points. His goals were actually kind of a secondary thing, which in itself being the all-time high is utterly supernatural and otherworldly. and likely will never be equalled with how much the game has changed.
Ovechkin's at 894 total goals (excluding the KHL) so he needs 179. Assuming he has four years to go, and the Capitals being not really much of a playoff team anymore, that's going to be a huge hill to climb.
But he doesn't need to beat that because he's already the greatest goal scorer of all time, he has like 9 Rockets. It doesn't infringe on Gretzky's legacy because he has more assists than anyone has points. His goals were actually kind of a secondary thing, which in itself being the all-time high is utterly supernatural and otherworldly. and likely will never be equalled with how much the game has changed.
Video Nasty
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Put the books down on Roman history for a little while and study Hockey history.
BallardEra
Leafs&Caps Since 1982™
I don't mean you but I find more and more people discredit Ovie's push to 895 by bringing up the WHA.
The record is 894. That's what he has to beat.
I don't see the point of adding goals from an inferior league to help increase one's totals from the best league in the world.
HF007
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- Sep 9, 2008
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It will definitely influence his legacy, especially for people in the future. Like everyone knows Richard had 50 in 50 and was the first to get 500, even though we didn’t see him play. Bobby Orr won a scoring title as a defenceman, jagr is second in points, Roy has three conn smythe, Gretzky has more assists than anyone does points etc.
I wouldn't call Gordie Howe an inferior player, and he played with and against NHL-caliber players in the WHA. In fact, WHA teams actually won more games than NHL ones when they played against each other for the interleague exhibition games. The record was 32-22-7.
But we can exclude the WHA, and just focus on NHL professional goals. You still have to count the playoff goals though, and arguably those are harder to score than the ones in the regular season.
It makes Gretzky the only 1,000 goal scorer in NHL history (1016 to be exact) and ironically Ovechkin is at 894 on that count. When all's said and done, I'm almost positive he'll not only be the second one but he'll pip 1016, too. Just 122 goals with four years to go, assuming the Capitals never make it back to the playoffs (unlikely), he needs to average out as a 30 goal-scorer the rest of the way.
BallardEra
Leafs&Caps Since 1982™
When did I say Gordie Howe was an inferior player? I said the WHA was an inferior league in comparison to the NHL.
Bobby Hull never scored 60 in the NHL yet dropped 77 goals on the WHA during his age 36 season.
Bobby Hull never scored 60 in the NHL yet dropped 77 goals on the WHA during his age 36 season.
I doubt any of his critics dispute his goal scoring ability, so scoring more goals doesn't seem likely to silence them.
i think it will.
When he sits on top of the hill.
They may think it, but many won't be voicing it any more
Randyne
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