Alex Ovechkin stands atop Hockey Mountain after surpassing Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer. With his retirement approaching in a year, OVI has the chance to further increase his goal count—potentially holding this record for a long time.
We should now focus on his scoring record and the conversation surrounding Ovechkin’s legacy. Is he genuinely one of the greatest players ever to hit the ice, or simply the most prolific scorer?
Even with the scoring record surpassed, even the most ardent Ovechkin supporters must concede that Gretzky remains the GOAT. The legends still lead by more than 1,200 points, and it is improbable that his 2,857 career points will ever be matched. This stat is among the most unattainable in the sport, sitting 936 points ahead of second place.
Is OVI in the top 3?
Making the case for Alex Ovechkin as a top-three player
It’s evident that he has netted 895 goals. A closer analysis shows that his durability is even more impressive than the total. Over 20 years, Alex Ovechkin has averaged 49 goals per season at a time when hockey defense is increasingly athletic, nuanced, and overall superior compared to any historical period.
To frame an average of 49 goals: This season, the NHL’s top goal scorer is Leon Draisaitl with 52. OVI led the league in scoring for nine different seasons.
Auston Matthews is the only other modern player to lead in goal scoring three times. Ovechkin boasts nine.
Arguments against Alex Ovechkin as a top-three player
There is no denying Ovechkin’s scoring prowess, but what does that translate to in the real world? Just one Stanley Cup in 20 years. Only two Eastern Conference titles to show for it. Personal accolades are impressive, but being a great player also means contributing to team victories, and ultimately, he hasn’t secured many wins.
This narrative could shift with a cap victory, yet this year might be his opportunity; otherwise, it’s a reflection of the last 20 years. OVI’s remarkable stats have little to affirm in terms of team success.
Ovechkin ranks 11th overall. He doesn’t merely trail titans like Gretzky and Jagr; he also falls behind the likes of Ron Francis, Joe Sakic, and even Sidney Crosby, all of whom have multiple Stanley Cup titles along with greater total points.
It’s challenging to assert that Ovi is a top-three player without a championship or the overall scoring record for support. Ovechkin could also be viewed as the Kevin Durant of the NHL—an extraordinary scorer and certain Hall of Fame inductee, yet he doesn’t measure up to the stature of players like Gretzky, Jagr, or Mark Messier when considering the top three.
What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments.
