Alex Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky's legendary hockey record

Wayne Gretzky achieved the unthinkable during his time in the NHL, scoring 894 career goals! However, in recent years, Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin has caught up. He entered the 2023-24 season with 822 goals under his belt, which begs the question... Will he snatch Gretzky's record?

With more than 840 goals scored in the NHL regular season, the Washington Capitals scorer is only about fifty points away from the Canadian's record. 

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Many fans wonder if Alexander Ovechkin will set a new record. According to Russian journalist, Igor Rabiner, Ovechkin will most likely retire during the 2025-26 season, leaving him some time to catch Wayne Gretzky's milestone.

Alexander Ovechkin's contract with the Washington Capitals will expire in 2026, meaning he will have two years to try and achieve more than 50 goals. Is it possible? Yes!

Despite Ovechkin having a lower goal count than last season, he remains one of the best scorers in the NHL. He has over 40 goals to his name in the Capitals jersey.

During the 2019-20 season, he finished top scorer of the season with 48 goals, tied with David Pastrnak. That year, he won his ninth Maurice-Richard trophy!

From 2012 to 2020, only Sydney Crosby managed to win the trophy in 2016-2017, all the others going to 'Ovi'. This proves the exemplary consistency of the Washington scorer.

Alexander Ovechkin scored 65 goals during the 2007-2008 season, making him the Russian player with the most goals scored in a single season!

Russian journalist Igor Rabiner also asked Alex Ovechkin if he would extend his contract an extra year to beat Gretzky's record: “I don't like the word “if”. We live today, we play, we move forward.”

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It is uncertain as to how much more 'Ovi' action we will get in the NHL over the next decade, but fans hope for another couple of good years! Nevertheless, if Alexander Ovechkin keeps up this goal-scoring rhythm, he will catch Gretzky’s record.