Wayne Gretzky knew This day was going to come.
After establishing the NHL's all time record in 1994, Gretzky's father Walter told his son that the record would not last – someone would come in the future and cross the brand. And when that happened, said Walter, he hoped that his son would show the same respect and admiration to this player that Gordie Howe did when he watched Gretzky approach her The record goal of 801.
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This message remained with Gretzky three decades later.
Wayne Gretzky of Los Angeles Kings marks her record goal of the NHL of the 802nd career against Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday March 23, 1994, at the Forum in Inglewood, California (AP photo / Eric Draper, file)
(Associated Press)
When Alex Ovechkin scored 219 goals in his first three NHL seasons, speculation began.
Could Gretzky's “unbreakable” record really fall one day?
The objectives continued to come and what was once a speculative What if? started to become a real possibility. Whenever Gretzky was asked about the chances of Ovechkin to the record, “The Great One” was rooted on the Captain of Washington Capitals. He understood that The pursuit Attracted positive attention to the League and was good for sport.
He remembered the words that his father had told him all these years ago.
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When the goal n ° 895 was scored on Sunday afternoon, Gretzky was present at UBS Arena in New York to be part of the history of hockey and celebrate the superstar of the capital. After Ovechkin beat Ilya Sorokin for the disc, the match was interrupted for a brief ceremony. There, on the ice, Gretzky, who has followed Ovechkin since last week. They exchanged hugs and a handshake. An era of hockey by celebrating another.
The conclusion of record prosecution is a moment of release for Ovechkin. He was reluctant to talk about passing Gretzky. The questions have been asked for years to find out if he could do. Now that he has done so, full concentration can go to the capital season, in which they are Direct the eastern conference and have your eyes on a Second title of the Stanley Cup In the history of the franchise.
This is how hockey players are scheduled: This is the team, not me.
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What is happening next, now that the prosecution is over, will however serve as the next batch of questions faced by Ovechkin.
Ovechkin is 40 years old in September and his contract takes place throughout the 2025-26 season. He spoke of ending his career where he started – with the Dynamo Moscow of Russia KHL. But he also said that he will be retired once his agreement expires after next season. He did not score less than 30 goals in a full NHL and magic season that knows goals is still there with the record goal also the 42nd this season – the 14th time that he has reached the brand of 40 goals during his 20 seasons.
“The Great 8” does not seem to be planning to drag and be a responsibility on the ice as the gray in his hair increases. He just goes out with his power always intact.
It is not weird to think that the goal record could end up being around 950 when everything is said and finished with his career. Ovechkin's shooting remains fatal and the opposing teams have not been able to find a way to limit its efficiency in its favorite place on ice – the left -playing circle, also known as “Ovi Spot”.
The only time on the part of the place where Alex Ovechkin made famous has made many nightmare nightmares. (Photo by Dave Reginek / NHLI via Getty Images)
(Dave Reginek via Getty Images)
Ovechkin exceeding Gretzky and ends up being satisfied with a retired final total will trigger the next major debate: who could threaten the Ovechkin record?
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Among the active players of NHL under the age of 30 in the Top 13 on the list of career scorers, the EDMONTON LEON DRAISAITL (29 years old) at 399 goals; Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews (27) at 397; And Boston's Bruins star David Pastrnak (28) at 383 goals.
Only Matthews has an average of more than 0.6 goals per match in his career, like Ovechkin. He may be the biggest threat now, but he has a lot of work to do.
Whether it is Matthews or another future NHL star, the world of hockey will wait a while – maybe a long time – before we have a goal again like this.
When Howe initially established the record that Gretzky would break, he did it in 1963 with his 545th goal to pass the Montreal Great Maurice Canadians “The Rocket” Richard.
Someone it took to jump Gretzky 26 years. As NHL players become larger, faster and stronger – including goalkeepers – the expectation that the Ovechkin record is threatened can take much more time, if someone like Matthews is even able to come to the King of Goals and not to be missed.
