Can Anyone Break Ovechkin's Record? 9 NHL Players With A Shot

6 min read Post on May 09, 2025

Can Anyone Break Ovechkin's Record? 9 NHL Players With A Shot

The Immense Challenge of Ovechkin's Legacy

Alex Ovechkin's goal-scoring prowess is legendary. His 822 goals (as of October 26, 2023) stand as a testament to his exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and remarkable longevity. This isn't just a record; it's a monumental achievement deeply etched into NHL history. Ovechkin's success is multifaceted:

Unparalleled Shot Accuracy: His powerful slap shot is arguably the most feared in the league, consistently finding the back of the net with remarkable precision.
Power Play Prowess: Ovechkin's lethal positioning and ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities have significantly boosted his goal total.
Exceptional Longevity: Maintaining elite-level performance over such a long career is a rare feat in itself, showcasing his durability and commitment.
Instinct and Determination: Beyond the technical aspects, Ovechkin possesses an innate goal-scoring instinct and an unwavering drive to find the net.

Replicating this level of sustained excellence is a herculean task. The sheer number of goals Ovechkin has scored represents not just skill, but consistent performance over nearly two decades, a level of consistency rarely seen in NHL history. Breaking his record will require an exceptional combination of talent, opportunity, and sheer luck.

9 NHL Players With a (Small) Shot at Breaking the Record

While breaking Ovechkin's record seems improbable, several young NHL stars possess the potential to make a serious attempt. Here are nine players who, with the right circumstances, could theoretically challenge the legendary total:

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers):

Connor McDavid's talent is undeniable. He's consistently among the league's leading point scorers, displaying exceptional speed, vision, and playmaking abilities. However, McDavid's game is less focused on shooting than Ovechkin's; he’s a playmaker first. While his goal-scoring pace is impressive, sustaining it at an Ovechkin-level for another decade while remaining injury-free presents a significant hurdle.

Strengths: Exceptional speed, vision, playmaking, and scoring touch.
Challenges: Maintaining peak performance over an extended period, reliance on assists, potential injuries.

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs):

Auston Matthews boasts an incredibly powerful shot and a knack for finding the back of the net. His shooting accuracy and ability to score from various positions make him a formidable goal scorer. However, injury concerns have plagued him in the past, potentially hindering his long-term goal-scoring potential.

Strengths: Exceptional shooting accuracy, powerful shot, goal-scoring instinct.
Challenges: Injury history, dependence on high-scoring team performance.

Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers):

Playing alongside McDavid, Leon Draisaitl benefits from exceptional offensive support. His high point totals highlight his offensive capabilities, and while he doesn't possess the same pure goal-scoring power as Ovechkin, his consistent production keeps him in the conversation. His playstyle is different from Ovechkin's, leaning more toward playmaking, posing a challenge in directly comparing their goal-scoring trajectories.

Strengths: High point totals, excellent playmaking, offensive instinct.
Challenges: Different play style compared to Ovechkin, reliance on team success.

Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils):

Jack Hughes’ speed and skill are undeniable assets. He is rapidly improving his offensive game and developing into a consistent goal scorer, but consistency and longevity are still things that need to be proven.

Strengths: Elite speed and skill, improving goal-scoring ability
Challenges: Consistency, longevity

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild):

Kirill Kaprizov is a dynamic offensive talent with an impressive shot and incredible skill. However, his overall scoring output needs to remain at an elite level for many years to come, which is always a challenge in a long and physically demanding career.

Strengths: Incredible skill, dynamic offensive talent, impressive shot.
Challenges: Consistency and longevity in a high-impact role.

Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche):

Nathan MacKinnon is a highly skilled and impactful player, but his focus has often been more on playmaking than pure goal-scoring, making it difficult for him to be consistently in the running with the highest goal-scorers.

Strengths: Exceptional skill and speed, playmaking abilities.
Challenges: Focus on playmaking over goal-scoring, maintaining consistency over time.

Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers):

Mika Zibanejad has demonstrated consistent goal-scoring ability over several seasons, but reaching Ovechkin's numbers would require several more seasons of elite-level production and consistent health.

Strengths: Consistent goal-scoring ability, leadership on a strong offensive team
Challenges: Maintaining high goal-scoring pace and remaining healthy for many more years.

Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning):

Brayden Point has been part of a very strong team, but his goal-scoring production might need to increase significantly to even come close to Ovechkin's record.

Strengths: High skill, experience playing at a high level.
Challenges: Needs to increase goal-scoring significantly to realistically compete.

Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars):

Jason Robertson is a skilled goal scorer, but sustaining the needed production over a long and injury-free NHL career is a big challenge.

Strengths: Highly skilled goal scorer with excellent shot accuracy.
Challenges: Maintaining consistently high goal-scoring and avoiding injury.

Factors Beyond Individual Skill: Team Support and Longevity

Individual talent is crucial, but breaking Ovechkin's record requires more than just exceptional skill. Consistent team support and a long, healthy career are paramount:

Team Offensive System: Playing on a high-scoring team with skilled linemates significantly increases goal-scoring opportunities.
Coaching and Strategy: A coaching staff that emphasizes offensive strategies and maximizes a player's strengths is invaluable.
Staying Healthy: Avoiding significant injuries over a long career is essential for maintaining consistent performance and building up a substantial goal total.

Sustained success requires a confluence of factors—exceptional individual talent, a supportive team environment, and a remarkable ability to withstand the rigors of a long NHL career.

Conclusion: Can Anyone Really Break Ovechkin's Record?

Breaking Alex Ovechkin's NHL goal-scoring record is a monumental challenge. The sheer magnitude of his achievement underscores his exceptional talent and dedication. While several young stars possess the potential to make a run at it, replicating his consistent high-level performance and longevity is a formidable task. Factors beyond individual skill, such as team support, coaching, and health, play a crucial role. Who do you think has the best chance to challenge Ovechkin's record? Let us know in the comments below!