There’s no question that Alex Ovechkin is one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of hockey. In fact, he’s currently the third leading goal scorer of all time. However, it’s important to keep in mind that he’s also playing in the goaltending era. When you compare his numbers to other great goal scorers, such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, it’s clear that goal scoring has become more difficult in recent years.
Nevertheless, Ovechkin has still managed to be one of the most consistent goal scorers in the league, scoring over 50 goals in 8 of his seasons. It’s a testament to his skill that he’s been able to remain so successful in an era when it’s become increasingly difficult to score goals.
Wayne Gretzky is often referred to as the greatest hockey player of all time. He holds many NHL records, including most goals scored in a career, most assists in a career, and most points in a career. When Gretzky retired in 1999, his records seemed unbreakable. This begs the question: if Gretzky played in the current era, would he still be the greatest goal scorer of all time?
There are a few factors to consider. First, the game of hockey has changed significantly since Gretzky’s playing days. The level of competition in the NHL is much higher now than during Gretzky’s era. In the 1980s and 1990s, the training regimen was not as strict. Many players who play today are athletic enough; they could probably play professionally in other sports. The current game is also faster from miles per hour pace.
Regardless, Alex Ovechkin still needs to reach 894 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky in the history books. As of today, he is sitting at 780. He has 114 goals to go, and he is 36 years old. Wayne Gretzky retired at 38 years old.
NHL Players tend to retire in their 30s, even the best ones. However, some are able to hold on for a little longer. In fact, dozens of NHL players have managed to play in at least one game after blowing out 40 candles. The key to longevity in the NHL is often good nutrition and conditioning, which can help players stay in shape and avoid injuries. While there are many players who have had successful careers despite being over 40, it is important to note that the majority of them have been goalies. This is likely due to the fact that goalies don’t experience the same level of physical contact as other players, making them less susceptible to injuries. In any case, it is clear that age is not necessarily a barrier to success in the NHL. With proper preparation and care, even older players can compete at the highest levels of professional hockey.
Alex Ovechkin is one of the most gifted hockey players of all time. His combination of speed, power, and skill is nearly unmatched, and he has used those talents to become one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history. In fact, if Ovechkin can avoid injury, there is a good chance that he could play until he is 40 years old. This would give him four more years to add to his totals, and if he can maintain his current level of production, he would have a real chance at catching Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Of course, it would be a tall task, but if anyone is up for it, it’s Alex Ovechkin.
If Ovechkin can average 28.5 goals per year for four years, he can catch Gretzky. Different game or not, can Alex Ovechkin pass Gretzky before he retires?
