Alex Ovechkin makes bold claim on chasing down Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL scoring record

By Evan Bell

Modified Jul 25, 2024 15:06 GMT

Alex Ovechkin is just 41 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky (1,016 goals) for the most goals in NHL history. With two full years left on his current contract, it appears to be more of a question of when Ovechkin will break Gretzky's longtime scoring record than if he will do so.

The way the Washington Capitals star sees things, however, had it not been for shortened seasons thanks to lockouts and the COVID-19 pandemic, he would have already broken the record. During a Russian-speaking podcast with Amiran Sardarov, translated by Sports.ru, Ovechkin weighed in on the career milestone:

“If there had been no lockout and no pandemic, I think Gretzky’s record would have been broken by now. But, unfortunately, such moments happen.”

Due to the pandemic, the NHL operated under a shortened 56-game season for 2020–21. Ovechkin played in 45 of a possible 56 games, scoring 24 goals, the fewest of his NHL career.

In addition, nearly a full decade before that, the 2012–13 season was reduced to just 48 games thanks to a lockout. In that instance, Ovechkin played in all 48 games, finishing the shortened season with 32 goals.

Given that his career average is 36 goals a season, it's uncertain whether or not the future Hall of Famer will break Gretzky's record late this season or early the following year. In either case, it appears as though Alex Ovechkin is destined to surpass Wayne Gretzky as the league's all-time goal leader.

Alex Ovechkin lays out goals for the next two seasons with the Washington Capitals

While Alex Ovechkin is approaching NHL history in the form of Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record, the winger has his sights set on winning the Stanley Cup. As a 13-time All-Star, nine-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, and Stanley Cup champion, Ovechkin is one of the most decorated players in NHL history.

He still wants to add another Stanley Cup to his long list of accomplishments as he heads into his 20th year in the league. In the aforementioned Russian-speaking podcast appearance with Amiran Sardarov, Ovechkin talked about his goals.

“I want to win the Stanley Cup again. Words cannot describe the emotions and pleasure that we, our friends, family, and fans received,” he said.

While Alex Ovechkin is focused on making NHL history and winning another Stanley Cup, the Capitals may not be in a position to compete. Washington is currently tied for the fifth-worst odds to win the Cup, according to FanDuel.

Last season, after qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Capitals wound up getting swept in the first round by the New York Rangers. While the team still has Ovechkin under contract for the next two years, they will need to bolster their roster if they plan to compete for the Cup.