By Tyler Bielecki
Is Alex Ovechkin REALLY the greatest goal scorer of all time? Ovechkin has been one of the most dominant scorers over the past decade and there's no argument there. But is he the best player to ever put the puck in the net?
The NHL has seen plenty of highly talented scorers over the years such as Mario Lemeuix, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Jaromir Jagr just to name a few. Ovechkin is a better scorer than all of those guys.
Ovechkin currently sits 4th in the all time goals list and has quite a chance to reach the top. Ovie has won the league's "Rocket Richard Trophy" a record 9 times for being the leading goal scorer in a season.
He broke into the league in 2005 after being the first overall draft choice in 2004.
He became an immediate scoring threat that would lead him to becoming rookie of the year. He had 52 goals and 54 assists for 106 points that season.
Alex is the leading scorer among all active players in the league with 762 and only seems to enlarge the gap between himself and the rest. Wayne Gretzky is the all time leader with 894 goals.
Ovechkin is 132 behind Gretzky at the time of writing this and he is currently in the midst of another Rocket Richard season. It would take Alex approximately 2-3 more dominant 50 goal seasons which he definitely has in the tank, he wants the record.
Wayne Gretzky himself believes the Russian superstar will pass him. “It’s not even a question that he will pass me, and I think it’s great,” said Gretzky. Jaromir Jagr sits at 3rd place with 766 goals however it took him 1733 games, and Gordie Howe is second with 801 goals but once again over 1700 games played.
Ovechkin has reached 762 in just 1250 games. Ovechkin has a much higher goals per game average.
Gretzky dominated the league for 20 seasons as he broke nearly every major record. He won league MVP 8 years straight from 1979-87. He shredded other defenders and goalies.
However Gretzky played in an era when goaltenders gear was a lot smaller so they protected a smaller area. Nowadays goalies equipment is much larger and protective which in turn takes away area for the puck to enter the net and more skill is required to beat the goalie.
Ovechkin has had a 0.61 goals per game average and Gretzky had .60 goals per game over his career, which are very even numbers so if Ovie can keep up his pace he will shatter the record.
Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer to ever lace up a pair of skates. He has been a lethal sniper his entire career and shows no signs of slowing down even at 36 years old. He has not beaten the goal record but I believe it is just a matter of time until he does.
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