Alexander Ovechkin is getting closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals in NHL history. As he chases Gretzky’s record, Ovechkin has surpassed many legendary hockey players to reach the top of the list.
From his very first season in 2005-06, Ovechkin showed he was a natural goal scorer, netting 52 goals and winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. Since then, he has continued to score at an incredible rate and has won almost every possible award a hockey player can achieve.
Climbing the all-time goals chart, Ovechkin has joined and overtaken some of the greatest players to ever play hockey. In 2022, he secured second place on his own when he passed Gordie ‘Mr. Hockey’ Howe with his 802nd career goal.
Being positioned between Howe and Gretzky (and potentially surpassing them both) is an impressive achievement. Even before this, Ovechkin was in esteemed company. Steve Yzerman, a three-time Stanley Cup winner and Detroit Red Wings icon, is currently tenth on the all-time goals list.
The only player close to Ovechkin in the modern era is Jaromir Jagr, who played for 24 seasons from 1990 to 2018. Jagr scored 766 goals, placing him fourth in NHL history, but most of his goals came before Ovechkin entered the league.
As Ovechkin gets closer to Gretzky’s record, here are the NHL’s top 10 all-time goal scorers:
10. Steve Yzerman | 692
Years: 1983-2006
Games: 1,514
Teams: Detroit Red Wings
9. Mark Messier | 694
Years: 1979-2004
Games: 1,756
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks
8. Mike Gartner | 708
Years: 1979-1998
Games: 1,432
Teams: Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes
7. Phil Esposito | 717
Years: 1963-1981
Games: 1,282
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers
6. Marcel Dionne | 731
Years: 1971-1989
Games: 1,348
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers
5. Brett Hull | 741
Years: 1986-2006
Games: 1,269
Teams: Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes
4. Jaromir Jagr | 766
Years: 1990-2018
Games: 1,733
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Starts, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
3. Gordie Howe | 801
Years: 1946-1980
Games: 1,767
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers
2. Alex Ovechkin | 886
Years: 2005-Present
Games: 1,575
Teams: Washington Capitals
1. Wayne Gretzky | 894
Years: 1979-1999
Games: 1,487
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
