"Never ever be broken": Don Cherry bluntly dismisses Wayne Gretzky's scoring record comparison to Glenn Hall's NHL milestone

Modified Nov 11, 2024 18:28 GMT

Wayne Gretzky's three straight 200-point seasons is a record that is difficult to envision being broken. Every sport has its "unbreakable" records that are likely to stand the test of time, and that may be one of hockey's. However, analyst Don Cherry believes there's one that is even more bulletproof.

Cherry was asked if Gretzky's three 200-point seasons or Glenn Hall playing in 552 consecutive games is the harder record to break. The former coach did not mince words.

He gave his answer on his "The Don Cherry's Grapevine" podcast on Sunday.

"That 552 will never, ever be broken," Cherry said (4:00). "They don't even play two in a row. Now, I know that's crazy. The Maple Leafs played back-to-back; they played Detroit, and then they played last night again this Sunday morning, last night they played Montreal, and there was no question that they weren't going to do back-to-back playing."

Cherry acknowledged that players had to have been tired from those games and that traveling by bus can take a toll. He also said that the equipment has changed. There may well be a player who records 200 points in three straight seasons with all the talent in the NHL now, but hardly anyone even plays a full season of games anymore in Cherry's eyes.

Wayne Gretzky opens up on potential record falling

The three consecutive 200-point seasons are far from the only one Wayne Gretzky owns. The former Edmonton Oilers star also has the most goals scored in NHL history, but that one is likely to fall soon.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is 31 goals away from tying Gretzky's record. Rather than being bitter or upset about it, he's thrilled that someone is challenging it.

Alex Ovechkin is nearing a record of Wayne Gretzky's (Imagn)

“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," Gretzky said on Wednesday, via Russian Machine Never Breaks. "It’s positive, and he’s been such a classy player for our sport for so many years, good for him.”

Gretzky added:

"Alex is playing well. And with Alex leading the way, these young guys have jumped on board, and they’re playing hard. This coach has done an incredible job there."

Gretzky has also acknowledged that it's good for the sport and the Capitals. He remembers his teammates enjoying his pursuit of the record and believes Ovechkin will have a similar experience.