Hockey Hall of Famer makes his feelings known on Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL scoring record

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Nov 11, 2024 13:24 GMT

Alex Ovechkin, seemingly on a nightly basis, inches closer and closer to breaking the all-time goal-scoring record held by Wayne Gretzky. No one in history has more goals than Gretzky, but Ovechkin is only 31 shy of the mark now.

Hockey legend and Hall of Famer Eric Lindros believes the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin's 20th, will be the season that Gretzky's record falls. He said via NHL:

“I think he might hit it this year, right? Like, if you look at his pace here, he's ripping them and he's scoring them in bunches.”

The Washington Capitals star has scored 10 goals in his first 14 games this season, a mark that took 45 games to eclipse in 2023-24. Ovechkin's scoring has been way up this season.

“That's regular Alex, right? You know, he'll miss a game, and he'll come back and he'll bang in two,” Lindros said.

The former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers star said he expects Ovechkin to topple Gretzky's goal total in February. He also added that Ovechkin is playing "well" and that he and everyone else are "pulling for" Ovechkin to break the record.

---

Wayne Gretzky applauds Alex Ovechkin's chase of goal record

Wayne Gretzky doesn't much care if he doesn't hold the all-time NHL record for goals scored. The former Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings star believes the chase Ovechkin is currently on is good for the sport and that it's inevitable.

Wayne Gretzky praised Alex Ovechkin amid goal race (Imagn)

Gretzky said via Russian Machine Never Breaks:

“He’s had a tremendous start, right? Listen, it’s not a question of if he’s going to break the record; it’s a question of when is he going to break the record, which is great for the game. It’s positive, and he’s been such a classy player for our sport for so many years, good for him.”

Gretzky revealed that while the focus is rightfully on Ovechkin, he remembers his teammates enjoying his own chase much like he imagines Ovechkin's are right now. On the current pace, Ovechkin will have the record by February or March. If he keeps up his hot streak, he will break it even sooner.