OT – The Capitals host the Red Wings tonight; Alex looking to tie Gordie
Alex Ovechkin starts the night with 800 goals, one shy of tying Gordie Howe for second place on NHL’s all-time goals scored leader board. Wayne Gretzky is the leader with 894 goals.
NHL Tonight has been buzzing about Alex (“The Great 8”) quite a bit lately and speculating how this 37 year old can get to 900 goals. I don't think he catches Gretzky.
If he passes Howe, the leader board will have a Canadian at #1, Russian at #2, Canadian at #3, Czech at #4 (Jagr), and an American at #5 (Hull). #6 though #24 are Canadians, with two players from Finland mixed in. There is no one on the list is in the Top 50 (490) that is younger than Alex. So no clear "who's next",
Puck drops at 7:00 EST …should you want to catch history in the making.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
It’s cool you’re on a first name basis with him, but he lets me call him Ovi.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
But will Alex have an international bridge named after him?
December 19th, 2022 at 10:42 PM ^
Yes, across the Bering Strait
December 19th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^
I know it's inevitable, but I don't want it to happen in Detroit.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
He is 94 goals short of Gretzky and on pace for 49 goals this season. If he gets 49 goals this season, that puts him at 829. Even if he declines by 20% each season after this year, he still hits it soon enough:
- Age 37 - 2022-23 Season: 50 Goal Pace - would give him 830
- Age 38 - 2023-24 Season: 40 Goal Pace - would give him 870
- Age 39 - 2024-25 Season: 32 Goal Pace - would give him 902
- Would pass Gretzky a little after the all-star break that season.
Barring injury, I think it is gonna happen.
I think the bigger question is where he finishes. Jagr retired at 46. Just for fun, if Ovi plays until his age 42 season (while declining 20% per year), that gives him:
- Age 40 - 2025-26 Season: 26 Goal Pace - would give him 928
- Age 41 - 2026-27 Season: 20 Goal Pace - would give him 948
- Age 42 - 2027-28 Season: 16 Goal Pace - would give him 964
December 19th, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
Ovi is the purest goal scorer in the history of the NHL.
he may never reach Gretzky on overall points but the dude can fire hot lava
December 19th, 2022 at 9:26 PM ^
Strong disagreement on the first statement. Though I think Ovi has a better shot that Gretzky, Ovi sits in the office and fires rockets. Gretzky made plays. Sometimes for himself and sometimes for his teammates.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^
You think you disagreed with me, but then you agreed with me.
I said “Ovi is the purest goal scorer in the history of the NHL.”
Your argument against that was ….. assists?
Please explain your position because I don’t get it
December 19th, 2022 at 10:00 PM ^
Having a great shot and being a great goal scorer aren't the same thing. He's saying Gretzky is a better goal scorer because he's a better playmaker. Which also leads to more assists
December 19th, 2022 at 10:06 PM ^
I played high level hockey (travel AAA, played against the Russian Jr national team, Canadian jr national team, a bunch of dudes who played in the NHL, etc) for over a decade as a goalie, some of it minor league pro
you’re both wrong
I’d rather face a playmaker than a guy who can score from anywhere inside the blueline on a whim because he can pinpoint a 3 X 2 inch spot and hit it 94% of the time
December 19th, 2022 at 9:51 PM ^
Jagr had two assists in a game last week at age 50….dude is ageless.
December 19th, 2022 at 10:10 PM ^
Jagr is a legend. On the ice and with the ladies
December 19th, 2022 at 10:18 PM ^
He has a great chance. Hoping to see him hit 900
December 19th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
I don't expect a 20% decline per year. From what I have observed, I think most great athletes decline just a little at a time then one year decline a lot. He could see a decline of 50% or more one year, then might not reach Gretzky
December 20th, 2022 at 8:31 AM ^
The older one gets, the easier it is to get sidelined with an injury.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:53 PM ^
There are things I really want to say about him but won’t lest this become a political thread. Amazing hockey player and bad person.
December 19th, 2022 at 7:07 PM ^
I'll go there. I was surprised when he supported Putin as late as May this year. Makes me sad, but he has family in Russia and I'm certain he doesn't want any of them falling out of a window.
On the other hand, whenever he's on the TV here in the DC area being interviewed he comes across as a really nice, humble guy.
So, who knows?
December 19th, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
I know. I live in the area and have followed his comments on Putin and then the war for a long time. Pretty clear where he stands.
December 19th, 2022 at 6:59 PM ^
I might bet Ovi to score a goal tonight
December 19th, 2022 at 7:02 PM ^
But not a Gordie Howe hat trick!
December 19th, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
Goal, assist, and fight. Sound like a good night at the bar if you ask me (and most Quebecois)
December 19th, 2022 at 7:08 PM ^
Ovi is a much better defensive player than Gretzky ever thought about being, but that's not saying a lot. Nonetheless, I'd rather he (Ovi) pass Howe than Gretzky because he does at least sniff defense. He will also pass Gretzky in a few years. And yes, he's that good! It's been a pleasure watching him in Washington...
December 19th, 2022 at 7:33 PM ^
Wings are looking good - up 2-0 in late in the first.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:05 PM ^
Gordie's two hockey playing sons are at the game. His non-hockey player son lived in Apt #9, one floor below me and my roommates. This was across the street from CCRB.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:55 PM ^
lost in OT
this losing streak is going to haunt them
December 19th, 2022 at 8:03 PM ^
Gordie is the all-time greatest, even Gretz said so
December 19th, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
He did, but as much as it pains me to say so as a Wings fan, you're both wrong.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:51 PM ^
XM, I adore you but you’re wrong. Gretz was being kind.
My list (no goalies … as a former goalie I’m biased so cannot judge unless we’re talking best tenders of all time)
1a) Gretzky
1b) Gordie
…… huge gap ……
3) Yzerman
4) Nicklas Lidstrom
5) Ovie
6) Bobby Orr
7) Mario Lemueux
8) Guy “the flower” LeFleur
9) Jaromir “the player” Jagr
10) Bobby Hull
11) Bobby Probert (cuz fuck you .. drop gloves and find out) could also put Federov or Datsyuk here
December 19th, 2022 at 10:21 PM ^
love you right back doc, but uncle gordie dominated the league, highest scorer, toughest, strongest, longest playing pro across what, 5 decades? and i like gretz a ton. heck, i'm even in the gretzky family videos (pleasant story) and he would tell you that he wasn't just 'being nice', he meant it.
December 20th, 2022 at 12:33 AM ^
Damnit ….. I know you’re half right … thus my 1a v 1b
But in the end we’ll have to agree to disagree. Gretzky could do things with the puck Gordie could never dream of.
And Gordie could sit Gretzky on his ass in a not so kind way all game long if they both played each other in their prime, which, as a goalie, is a massive plus to have in a player on your team.
Still, in my 99.9% useless opinion, I’m taking Gretzky in my “pick your team with each person in their prime” #1 overall because a goalies best friend is a 4-0 lead and I guarantee Gretzky has 2 of those goals and 2 assists
ps. your life gets more and more interesting the more you post and I’ve been on this blog a long time. would enjoy a long weekend of chatting and having a few PBRs and “red pop” with you
December 20th, 2022 at 6:17 AM ^
invitation to the farm remains open indefinitely.
incidentally, are you doing/playing any kind of men's league hockey? seems like that'd be a natural for a guy like you if you got on the right team/league.
December 20th, 2022 at 9:29 AM ^
Gretz is far and away the best offensive player of all time, very difficult to disagree as there are stats to back it up.
Gordie, considering his offensive production while being one of the most physical players of his time (if not the most) and the fact that he was also an incredibly skilled defender... would make a strong argument for the best all around player.... Gordie even played D on the penalty kill. Gretz was never much of a defender and wasn't a physical player either. Gordie played in a league heavy on defense, Gretz played in a league that was much more offensive.
comparing the two head to head is like apples and oranges.
Connor McDavid is next... God willing that young man stay healthy.... he's such a treat to watch. We had the good fortune of watching him for 3 years in the OHL.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:07 PM ^
Connor McDavid is the “Who’s next”
December 19th, 2022 at 9:03 PM ^
Behind green eyes?
December 19th, 2022 at 9:06 PM ^
LGRW!
Copp to Raymond for a Red Wings goal!
December 19th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^
And less than two minutes later the Caps tied it back up 3-3.
Now 9 minutes remaining...
December 19th, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
What stinks is Mr Hockey playing in the WHA instead of the NHL.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
Gretzky was the best I've ever seen. But even he needed Messier to go full boss mode to get that first Cup.
December 19th, 2022 at 9:44 PM ^
Red Wings deny Ovi passing Howe on their ice!
December 19th, 2022 at 9:44 PM ^
Wings go down 4-3 late in OT.
Ovi stuck on 800.