The Path to Beating The Great One
So, we are here in 2020, with Ovechkin likely staring down finishing the season somewhere around 710 goals and being just short or past Mike Gartner for 7th all-time in goals. Here's a potential scenario:
Of course, Ovechkin could absolutely exceed those totals and surprise us with another 40-goal season or slightly better...But the above scenario would leave him as a newly minted 38-year old man ready to start the 2023-2024 season with only 90 goals needed in his twilight years to ascend Mt. Gretzky. With the solid year he's had, this...actually... seems...doable.
- 2021 > Age 35, scores about 35 goals, moves to 745, passes Esposito, Dionne, and Hall to 4th all-time
- 2022 > Age 36, scores about 30 goals, moves to 775, passes Jagr to 3rd all-time
- 2023 > Age 37, scores about 30 goals, moves to 805, passes Howe to 2nd all-time