It was November 23, 1988, when Wayne Gretzky added the 600th goal to his legendary career tally. As we celebrate the 35th year since that accomplishment, we explore the other legends in the 600 club, Alex Ovechkin's unstoppable quest, and which current NHL icons might reach this incredible height.
The NHL has seen only 20 players achieve the milestone of 600 or more goals. Among them are two active players, already established in the 500 club, who aim to carve their names into history in the years to come.
While it is hard to find
betting sites
For those keen on futures bets, wagering on how many goals a player might net in their career offers some intriguing opportunities. Many now believe Ovechkin might surpass Gretzky and perhaps even break the 900 mark. Yet, could someone else outpace him? Let's delve into NHL's rich history of goal scoring.
Commencing this narrative, we have Wayne Gretzky, who has hoisted the Stanley Cup four times. Thirty-five years have passed since he showcased his prowess in the 600 club, scoring for the Los Angeles Kings in their 8-3 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings.
Gretzky hung up his skates, driven by a gut intuition, at 38, mentally and physically drained. Although fans yearned for an additional season to witness him hitting 1,500 games, 900 goals, and 2,000 assists, where would that pursuit stop? Another couple of seasons chasing 3,000 points?
While improved diets and conditioning now keep NHL careers vibrant into their late 30s, the wear and tear by age 35 often dictate retirement. Sure, a 900-goal figure for Gretzky would have been ideal, but gracefully stepping away rather than pushing forward when visibly past his prime showed remarkable discernment.
If there's one word that describes Alex Ovechkin, it's relentless. With a burning ambition to be the best, his pursuit of Gretzky's record looks more certain with each passing year. His resolve is unwavering: no matter how lengthy his career might need to be to become the all-time top scorer, he will do it unless stopped by a significant injury.
While Gretzky quietly ceased playing, Ovechkin projects an air of determination that he would return with a walker if needed to score the power-play goal that puts him ahead of Gretzky. His fierce resolve and willpower secure him a place among hockey legends and assure that he will claim the number one position soon enough.
An original member of the 600 club, 'Mr. Hockey' wrapped up his stellar career tallying 801 goals, being one of just three legends to surpass 800. Despite playing in an era where safety measures were minimal, Howe's impact extended beyond scoring; he was a true sporting icon.
Longevity was the hallmark of Howe's career, notching 15 goals in his 51st year with the Hartford Whalers. Though he left the NHL at 42, he continued with the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers, racking up 174 WHA goals. Had his career timeline differed, he likely would have been the first to break 900 NHL goals, compelling Gretzky to play a bit longer too.
Five players reached 700 goals but didn't ascend further. Jaromir Jagr, leading this group, netted his last NHL goal for the Calgary Flames at 45, scoring just once in his final season of 22 games before exiting the NHL before Christmas. Even at 50, Jagr impressed by posting five goals in the Czech SuperLiga for HC Kladno.
Brett Hull stands out as the USA's leading scorer with 744 goals, playing only five times in his last stint for the Phoenix Coyotes. His career-best 86 goals came in the 1990-91 St. Louis Blues season, reaching over 70 another two times. Significantly, Hull lifted the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings later in his career.
Drafted #2 overall by the Red Wings in 1971, Marcel Dionne regrettably holds the record for most goal-scoring without a Stanley Cup victory. His brief stint in Detroit gave way to fame with the Los Angeles Kings, where six seasons of 50 goals and an additional four seasons over 40 got him to 731 lifetime goals.
Phil Esposito's remarkable four seasons tallying over 60 goals with the Boston Bruins establish him firmly among the top NHL goal scorers. Though his talents also flourished with New York and began with Chicago, his Boston legacy is marked by his two Stanley Cups, ensuring he will be remembered as a Bruin.
Mike Gartner completed the 700 club with a consistent career leading to 708 goals, even if he only surpassed 50 goals once. Even in his final Phoenix season at 38, he continued scoring, a testament to his unwavering contribution.
A dozen players reached 600 goals in the NHL without breaking through to the next hundred. Mark Messier, ending with 694 goals, stands closest to this threshold, trailed by Steve Yzerman, who played over 200 fewer games than Messier.
Mario Lemieux's tale of unrealized potential resonates in hockey lore, with 690 goals in 915 games, accompanied by Mike Bossy (573) and Maurice Richard (544), the only ones to score 500+ in under 1,000 games. If Lemieux had matched Gretzky's game total, his goal tally might have surpassed 1,100, though sadly, it wasn't to be.
Teemu Selanne remains the all-time leading European scorer in the NHL with 684 goals, overtaking Finnish compatriot Jari Kurri, who closed with 601.
The remaining seven members of the 600 club are all Canadians, led by Luc Robitaille and Brendan Shanahan with 668 and 656 goals respectively, marking the threshold past 650.
Dave Andreychuk (640), Joe Sakic (625), Jarome Iginla (625), Bobby Hull (610), and Dino Ciccarelli (608) complete this group, with Hull having played the fewest games by a decent margin.
Poised to join the 600 club soon is Sidney Crosby, already past 560 goals. While he boasts just one 50-goal season, his generous assists have nearly put him within the top 25 goal scorers ever. Expect him to finish among the top 10 all-time point scorers when he hangs up his skates.
Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is nearest to Crosby, having surpassed 520 goals. Despite early seasons of 45+ goals in three out of four, injuries have hindered him; yet, reaching 600 within a few years remains within reach.
Four upcoming talents already topping 300 goals are viewed by fans as strong contenders to double that achievement.
Leading them is Connor McDavid, though his penchant for assists might prevent him from rivaling Ovechkin and Gretzky at the scoring pinnacle. Some predict he could be NHL's second player to exceed 2,000 points, now nearing 900 at 26.
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a notable natural scorer, has never dropped below 34 goals, reaching a peak of 60 in the 2022/23 season. While consistency is his ally, hand and wrist injuries have taken a toll on his playing time.
Just a year Matthews' senior, David Pastrnak is matching his pace, gaining ground in the top 200 scorers list with the Bruins. A staple on a dominant eastern franchise, his six seasons of 34+ goals and a career-high of 61 last season could propel him further up the ranks.
Should McDavid fall short, it might be due to the assists helping Leon Draisaitl. The German, the eldest among the four, has picked up momentum lately, boasting three 50-goal seasons, though starting slower in the 2023/24 season.
While Gretzky stopped just six goals shy in his career, Ovechkin aims not only to break the ultimate scoring record but also to be the first player to breach the 900-goal milestone.
In September, Ovechkin turned 38, equal to the age when Gretzky decided to retire. Yet, the likelihood of Ovechkin choosing this moment to step away is slim as he pushes on, even as observers watch eagerly to see how age influences his game.
Currently, Ovechkin is a little over 70 goals away from 900, potentially reaching it by age 40 in two seasons if his scoring rate holds. However, his current pace suggests only 25 goals this season, posing a possible hiccup in his trajectory.
As time marches on, if he slightly slows down, it might be during his 41st year that Ovi catches up to Gretzky and makes a run for 900 goals. Yet, even then, most believe that it’s only a matter of time before he secures his spot as NHL’s top goal scorer ever, given his unwavering determination.
Now the million-dollar question is whether any of today’s rising stars can endure long enough to surpass that milestone in the future. Matthews, with his innate sniper talent, comes to mind, although his track record with injuries makes one cautious. Alternatively, there's Pasternak, whose consistent brilliance on the ice might just do the trick. Regardless, hockey enthusiasts should cherish the exceptional group of players vying in the NHL right now.
