Alex Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzky: Which player will be next to challenge the all-time goals record?

Alex Ovechkin made history on Sunday by breaking the score record of all Wayne Gretzky time, and it is likely to spend a while before anyone even set the record. A lot of work will be needed, in addition to a good fortune, but a good handful of stars could be set up to Ovechkin’s heels for the next decade.

The three active players closest to Ovechkin are Sidney Crosby (619 goals), Steven Stamkos (579) and Evgeni Malkin (513). The youngest of this trio is Stamkos at the age of 35 and needs 315 goals only to equalize Gretzky’s 894. This means that it would need more than 50 goals per season for the next six seasons only to reach an amazing distance.

In order not to doubt these three future hall of famers, but the time is no longer on their side, and it would be incredibly shocking to see that any of them reached the goal no. 895. This only underlines Ovechkin’s impressive career.

Instead, we will look at five players under the age of 30 who have already shown the scoring capacity needed to reach the same heights as Ovecchkin and Gretzky. Auston Matthews, Leon Drasaitl, Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak and Nathan Mackinnon have at least an external feature to bring 900 goals to 900 if things break well for them.

Alex Ovechkin breaks the goals of the record: Look at how Wayne Gretzky congratulates the capital star for historical

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We look more deeply where each player is in search of Gretzky and Ovechkin, as well as what he has to do for the next decade to achieve the NHL history.

Few elite scorers have been as consistent as Draisaitl in recent years. He has managed to hit 40 goals and now he has reached 50 goals in four of the last seven seasons. Draisaitl has a versatility next to him. The other thing he has is a magical touch in the game of power. Draisaitl has established a store just above the finish line and perfected what was usually a bad angle. This will give him longevity because, even when he gets older, Draisaitl still should be able to come up with a lead in the lead of man.

In a decade: Assuming that Draisaitl becomes healthy for 82 complete games in each of the next 10 seasons, which is how we project each player, would have approximately 815 career goals at their current pace. This is still 80 goals out of the new goals, so it would need a couple of bigger seasons later. With an average of 41 goals a year until its early 1940’s it will be a challenge, but Draisaitl has the ability to make a race, especially if McDavid has it for all time.

Auston Matthews | 397 goals

Of all the players on this list, Matthews has the best opportunity to catch Gretzky and Ovechkin. Matthews has already proven to be the best scorer of his generation, and his career rhythm is higher than Ovechkin. Matthews fell a shy goal of 70 by 2023-24, and if he can replicate this effort a couple more times, he will be in great shape to challenge the new record.

In a decade: If Matthews continues to mark at its current pace, it will have surpassed the current Ovechkin brand with 920 goals. Maple Leafs star will only be 37 years old at the time, so he will be a few more years before he reaches 40. The question here, as is the case with all players, is whether Matthews’s body will hold enough time for his toilet pace. Given its natural ability and a proven history, health could be one of the few things between Matthews and 900 goals.

David Pastrnak | 385 goals

Pastrnak can fly under the radar compared to some of the other players on this list, but his rate of race is the second highest in this list. Although, Leon Drasaitl has won another team in recent history. Perhaps Pastrnak’s most encouraging is that he scored 61 goals in 2022-23, so we know he has the ability to put a running number here and there, which is what the objectives’ record will need to be achieved.

In a decade: Pastrnak, at his current pace, would have about 807 career goals. This is an impressive number, but it would not put it instead of the 900 brand. If Pastrnak will make a real race in this, it will need more seasons more than 61 goals than 40 goals.

Nathan Mackinnon | 366 goals

Mackinnon clearly does not have the rate of career to take Gretzky or Ovechkin before his career is done, at least not yet. If Mackinnon wanted to put more emphasis on scoring goals, he could probably take this area of ​​his game a couple of couples. He did last season with 55 high route to the Hart Trophy. The topic here may be that Mackinnon is too behind the 8 ball with a lack of seasons in the goals department.

In a decade: Mackinnon would still be far away in 713 goals. This makes it the longest feature of this list, but again deserves to keep in mind because it simply plays the game at a different speed than almost anyone. Mackinnon has shown that he can score 50 goals. You just need to do it a good handful to bring the top scorers in the history of hockey.

Connor McDavid | 361 goals

McDavid is the best player in the game right now, and I don’t think there is a lot of space for debate. Will you become the top scorer of all time? I don’t think so, but it would be a nonsense to rule it right now. McDavid is an elite player, and this is an essential part of his game. If McDavid just wanted to be a little more selfish, I could really publish some huge numbers. No more than 64 goals in 2022-23, or its 15.1% race rate percentage, which is less than one point behind Matthews.

In a decade: McDavid would be sitting in 781 goals. Again, this rhythm must increase in order to take Ovechkin and Gretzky, but I think he has it in him. Frankly, it is just a matter of will. If McDavid wants or is forced to become another shooter, the persecution will be on.