Alexander Ovechkin v. The World

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Playoff goals don't count and if you're cheering for Ovechkin to break Gretzky's record, you wouldn't want them to. Ovechkin has 71 playoff goals, Gretzky has 122.

Oh, you found it. I was wondering what oiler fans would cling to once this record is broken

[dammage79]

I wonder how much O.V is going to extend the scoring record before he hangs em up. 10? 20? 1 or 5?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I wonder how much O.V is going to extend the scoring record before he hangs em up. 10? 20? 1 or 5?

You know, thats also an interesting question.

Because the likelihood of anyone else even ever getting close is so remote on its own, does he really go for it or just get 1 over?

That'll be interesting.

[activeStick]

I would imagine that Matthews is on pace to break it, with a big caveat that he can stay healthy and avoid multiple season lock outs.

[robertsfanatic]

ideally he gets it under 40 remaining for next year so he has a shot at it.

also, Matthews could definitely be a threat for the record eventually.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I wonder how much O.V is going to extend the scoring record before he hangs em up. 10? 20? 1 or 5?

Who was it that retired literally right before they could break Howe's record? (Was it Messier? Can't remember the exact record... although I suppose it would of had to have been the GP one, if it was.)

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Who was it that retired literally right before they could break Howe's record? (Was it Messier? Can't remember the exact record... although I suppose it would of had to have been the GP one, if it was.)

Messier retired with 11 fewer games played than Howe. His final season was 2003-04. If not for the lockout, he may have come back to break the record, but the missed season was probably too much.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if he was only interested in playing for the Rangers and they weren't willing to tie up cap space for a guy in his 40s.

[Robbob]

Just crazy to think that he was sitting at 8 goals after 40 games. Back half of the season 21 and counting. I still think it will take him the remainder of the contract to break it. It will just be when in 25-26 will it be broken. The record will be a formality and it will be all about the countdown to 900 at that point.

On a side note, it will also be interesting to track Matthews over the next few years. These prime years before 30 will make or break it for him.
At the age of 26 Ovechkin was sitting on 339. Matthews currently 363 (6 games remaining). Gretzky had 543.

In Matthews favour is that Ovechkin had one of his 27-30 seasons shortened by a lock out. Ovechkin still put up 186, which isn't too shabby at all. So Matthews has a chance to add to that and keep a higher career pace, which I think will be needed to help later in his career.

After Matthews, I don't think we see anyone get close to accomplishing what he is doing. Pastrnak, Draisatil and McDavid are the next younger active scorers clustered together. Even then, they are older and Matthews has passed each of them.

[lazypucker]

Not sure if Matthews has the consistency/durability/desire to play till he is 40 years old, otherwise he could be close to the record

[Paulie Walnuts]

Bedard is 18 and was pacing for 30 goals if not for the injury. Matthews has 40 in his rookie season as a 19 year old.

He has a lethal shot, lets see how his career progresses. If he takes a big step next year, he could be the next great goal scorer in the league.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Bedard is 18 and was pacing for 30 goals if not for the injury. Matthews has 40 in his rookie season as a 19 year old.

He has a lethal shot, lets see how his career progresses. If he takes a big step next year, he could be the next great goal scorer in the league.

Very early to tell, but I do think you are right. Bedard is probably the only recent draft pick that could probably get to around 200 goals by time they are 23. Which is what I think needs to be done to even be part of the conversation.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by getbak

Messier retired with 11 fewer games played than Howe. His final season was 2003-04. If not for the lockout, he may have come back to break the record, but the missed season was probably too much.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if he was only interested in playing for the Rangers and they weren't willing to tie up cap space for a guy in his 40s.

I'm sure that was the case, especially with so many teams up against the cap that first cap season. I know Oilers kicked around bringing him in but he wasn't interested.

[rohara66]

30 goals baby!

[Groot]

If Spector had any self-awareness or humility he would post "Are we really celebrating Ovechkin scoring his 30th goal of the season in early-April?"

[activeStick]

18 30-goal seasons now for OV. Literally nobody has ever done that before. What an amazing player.

[Groot]

All Matthews needs to is put together 11 more 30-goal seasons and he can break the record....such a crazy stat.

[Robbob]

I thought him getting to 20 this season would be a stretch after his first 40 games. Just wow.

[Goriders]

At his age to be doing what he’s doing is crazy.

[Locke]

Holy Hell OV...

Again...this is a modern-day achievement. Most run of the mill NHL or even AHL level goalies would have likely been Elite in the 80s.

Scoring this much in a career is basically a miracle.

[butterfly]

Finished with 31 goals, 13 in the last 17 games. 42 to tie the record. It's not impossible that it could happen next year.