The captain of the Washington Capitals scored twice Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets to reach the milestone in his 990th regular-season game. Ovechkin became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to 600 behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull.
I know it’s a long shot but would LOVE to see him chase down Gretzky.
It's definitely a long shot, but it's not IMPOSSIBLE. If he plays another 10 seasons he'd need to average about 40 goals a year. If he pots a few more 45-50 goal seasons in the next 3-5 years, it's not unrealistic at all. Iginla was scoring 30 goals at age 38, and Ovi is a way better goal scorer than Iginla ever was.
Obviously he'd need to stay healthy and play for a long time, but there's a chance.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
Such a great player.
Thankful to have players like this to keep the NHL interesting while our team systematically tries to bore us to death and remove all entertainment from hockey.
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He would already likely have 60 more if not for lockouts.
He'll no doubt slow down rapidly past age 35 but, barring injury, should be a lock for over 700 career goals. I think 800 is a stretch and I don't think he'll catch Wayne even if he plays til 40.
Still, one of my favourite players of all time. Particularly his first couple of seasons when he was such a highlight machine.
He would already likely have 60 more if not for lockouts.
He'll no doubt slow down rapidly past age 35 but, barring injury, should be a lock for over 700 career goals. I think 800 is a stretch and I don't think he'll catch Wayne even if he plays til 40.
Still, one of my favourite players of all time. Particularly his first couple of seasons when he was such a highlight machine.
Why is 800 a stretch? The guy has never scored less than 30 goals, and he only needs 200 to get there. If he stays healthy and doesn't retire too early, I think 800 would be easy.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
He's a great scorer. Would love to see him hoist the cup. In a league starved for offense, creativity, goals, he's the best at doing the hardest yet most important thing in the sport: score goals.
He gets a lot of harsh criticism for the lack of playoff success, and though he plays a part in those postseason failures, i think it's got a lot to do with the team around him too.
Ovechkin will never catch Gretzky and nor should he.
He scores a hell of a lot but overall it still doesn't help his team win when it counts. You can outscore (especially with special teams) problems in the regular season, but defensive play and even poor offensive decisions will catch up with you in the playoffs.
There are a ton of factors (not the least of which being luck) that have led Crosby to cups and Ovechkin to early playoff exits, but I think the differences are earned for the most part.
I don't think he deserves to be anywhere near the talk of 'greatest of all time'.
An environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered.
Ovechkin will never catch Gretzky and nor should he.
He scores a hell of a lot but overall it still doesn't help his team win when it counts. You can outscore (especially with special teams) problems in the regular season, but defensive play and even poor offensive decisions will catch up with you in the playoffs.
There are a ton of factors (not the least of which being luck) that have led Crosby to cups and Ovechkin to early playoff exits, but I think the differences are earned for the most part.
I don't think he deserves to be anywhere near the talk of 'greatest of all time'.
Ah yes. Classic Crosby is better because of team accomplishments in a thread about Ovechkin.
Ovechkin deserves essentially no blame for Washington’s playoff woes considering he is essentially the only guy who shows up for them in the playoffs.
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Relatively recent comparisons: Iginla scored 194 goals age 33 and beyond. Sakic had 142. Shanahan had 153. Selanne had 248 (playing until age 43, with a few injury shortened seasons. Hull had 214. Jagr isn't a good comparison, but he did score 54 at age 33, but has not exceeded 30 in a season since then (only 2 years before he went overseas though).
Of course, Ovechkin is a different class than all of them (except maybe Hull), and will pass them all on the all time list sooner than later.
IMO, something like the following might be reasonable:
50
42
48
34
36
30
~240 more goals over 6 seasons...puts him around 840 at age 39. Another lockout could be a gift and/or a curse - maybe helps him get an extra 1.5 seasons if he wants.
An environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered.
You and I have very different definitions of "showing up" then.
The Penguins have had some pretty average teams over the years that have been very successful. Namely their defence.
By your argument, there are 600+ other NHL players who aren't Crosby and therefore should also get the brunt of your unfair comparison to him.
Including every single player on the Flames.
Incredibly impressive given his age and the era he's playing in.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
Ovechkin Scores 600th Goal
