Will Alex Ovechkin Shatter Wayne Gretzky’s Immortal NHL Record?

In the world of hockey when the year 1999 is mentioned, the name Wayne Gretzky, aka “The Great One,” inevitably comes up. His retirement that year left an indelible mark on the sport, with an astonishing 61 NHL records, either solely held or shared by him. Among these records was his staggering career tally of 894 goals, scored over a remarkable 20-year career, spanning 1,487 games. This record has remained untouched since Gretzky’s retirement. However, another hockey icon, Alex Ovechkin, is on the path to rewriting history.

Ovechkin’s Endeavour to Break Gretzky’s Record

As he steps into the 2024-25 NHL season, Ovechkin is on the brink of surpassing Gretzky’s record, needing just 42 goals to do so. Interestingly, Ovechkin has achieved this target 13 times in his illustrious career, including during the 2022-23 season.

Top NHL Players Ranked by Career Goals

The following list provides a snapshot of the leading goal scorers in NHL history, with Gretzky and Ovechkin topping the chart:

– Wayne Gretzky: 894
– Alex Ovechkin: 853
– Gordie Howe: 801
– Jaromir Jagr: 766
– Brett Hull: 741
– Marcel Dionne: 731
– Phil Esposito: 717

Additional Noteworthy NHL Records

Beyond the most career goals, the NHL also boasts records such as the most career hat tricks, most Stanley Cup titles won by a team, and players with the most seasons under their belts.

Other Key Players in NHL History

Several other players have left their mark on the NHL, including Mike Gartner (708 goals), Mark Messier (694 goals), Steve Yzerman (692 goals), Mario Lemieux (690 goals), and Teemu Selanne (684 goals), among others.