The Top 9 NHL Players Who Might Eclipse Ovechkin's Goal Record

8 min read Post on May 09, 2025

The Top 9 NHL Players Who Might Eclipse Ovechkin's Goal Record

Connor McDavid: The Speed and Skill Factor

McDavid's exceptional offensive prowess and potential longevity.

Connor McDavid's combination of speed, vision, and hockey IQ is unparalleled in the modern NHL. His ability to create scoring chances seemingly out of thin air makes him a prime candidate to chase Ovechkin's goal record.

Current Pace and Projections: McDavid's current goal-scoring pace, if maintained, puts him within striking distance of Ovechkin's record, but longevity is key. Predicting his total goals requires considering potential injuries and maintaining his elite performance over many seasons.
Exceptional Skill Set: McDavid's blazing speed allows him to evade defenders, while his precise shot and uncanny passing ability create high-danger scoring opportunities. This combination mirrors the effectiveness of Ovechkin's lethal one-timer shot, but with a more dynamic playmaking element.
Potential Playing Years and Injury History: McDavid's relatively clean injury history bodes well for his longevity. If he can maintain his current health and performance level for another decade, he stands a significant chance of breaking the record.
Comparison to Ovechkin's Early Career: While Ovechkin's early career was marked by an incredibly high goal-scoring rate, McDavid's assist numbers highlight a different dimension, implying an ability to contribute to his team's goal total even if his own scoring pace slightly dips.

Auston Matthews: The Pure Sniper

Matthews' remarkable shooting accuracy and consistency.

Auston Matthews possesses a pure sniper's instinct. His remarkable shooting accuracy and knack for finding the back of the net consistently make him a serious contender.

Goal-Scoring Consistency: Matthews has demonstrated incredible consistency in scoring high-danger goals throughout his career. His ability to consistently place shots in tight areas makes him a threat any time he is on the ice.
Comparison to Ovechkin at a Similar Stage: A comparison of their goal-scoring rates at similar career stages shows a compelling case for Matthews’ potential. He has consistently scored at a high rate, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Potential Hindering Factors: While Matthews' talent is undeniable, potential injuries or a decline in team performance could impact his ability to sustain his goal-scoring pace.
Shooting Percentage and Goals per Game: Matthews boasts an impressive shooting percentage and high goals-per-game average, key indicators of his potential to continue accumulating goals.

Leon Draisaitl: The All-Around Offensive Threat

Draisaitl's versatility and ability to contribute across the offensive spectrum.

Leon Draisaitl is a complete offensive player. His exceptional playmaking abilities complement his goal-scoring prowess, making him a well-rounded threat.

Playmaking and Goal Scoring: Unlike Ovechkin who was known for his shot, Draisaitl's combination of playmaking and scoring makes him an unpredictable and prolific offensive force. He's a threat to score himself or set up his teammates.
Potential for Increased Goal Production: As Draisaitl matures and gains experience, his offensive output could increase even further, potentially placing him higher on the list.
Style Comparison to Ovechkin: Draisaitl's game differs significantly from Ovechkin's, with less focus on a power-shot and more emphasis on overall offensive play. This makes his path to the record different.
Points Per Game and Offensive Contribution: Draisaitl's impressive points-per-game average underscores his overall offensive dominance and places him among the top contenders.

Jack Hughes: The Rising Star

Hughes' explosive potential and rapid improvement.

Jack Hughes is a young player with explosive potential. His rapid improvement and dynamic offensive skills make him a dark horse in the race for Ovechkin's record.

Rapid Development: Hughes' trajectory has been remarkably upward. His skill and offensive sense already place him among the best, and continued development could lead to a massive increase in goal scoring.
Playing Style and Comparison: Hughes' skillset shares similarities with other prolific goal scorers, but his unique style makes him a challenging player to defend.
Statistics Compared to Similar-Aged Players: A comparison of his current stats with those of players at similar ages shows significant potential for growth.
Progress and Potential: His consistent progress and evident potential make him a player to watch closely.

Kirill Kaprizov: The Dynamic Russian Forward

Kaprizov’s electrifying skill and offensive creativity.

Kirill Kaprizov brings electrifying skill and creative offensive flair to the NHL. His ability to make plays in tight spaces and finish around the net makes him a dangerous goal scorer.

Unique Offensive Abilities: Kaprizov's puck-handling skills and ability to score in creative ways set him apart from other goal scorers.
Potential for Sustained Goal Scoring: While his style may not lead to the same power play goals as Ovechkin, his creativity and skill could make him a consistent goal threat for many years.
Factors Influencing His Goal-Scoring Pace: Maintaining his exceptional form in a physically demanding league, and staying healthy, will be key factors in his pursuit of a high scoring rate.
Key Statistics: Kaprizov’s impressive statistics demonstrate his offensive capabilities, showcasing a potential to increase his goal totals.

Jason Robertson: The Consistent Goal-Getter

Robertson’s consistency and ability to find the back of the net.

Jason Robertson’s consistent goal-scoring ability and high-percentage shots make him a reliable candidate. He’s proven to be a consistent offensive threat and his consistent performance is noteworthy.

Reliable Goal-Scoring Ability: Robertson doesn't rely on spectacular plays as much as on positioning and consistently finding high percentage shots. This offers a solid foundation for sustained goal production.
Potential for Continued Growth: Robertson is still relatively young and has shown potential for improving his offensive game, suggesting further improvement in his goal scoring.
Comparison to Other Prolific Goal Scorers: His scoring rate and efficiency already compare favorably to other high-scoring players.
Goal-Scoring Efficiency: Key statistics like shooting percentage and goals per game demonstrate Robertson’s efficiency.

Brayden Point: The Lightning’s Lethal Weapon

Point's proven scoring ability within the Tampa Bay Lightning system.

Brayden Point’s proven scoring ability within the high-powered Tampa Bay Lightning offense has positioned him as a potential challenger. His success in a high-pressure environment showcases his ability.

Contributions in a High-Powered Offense: Point's success is tied to a consistently strong team around him. His ability to contribute in this environment, however, indicates high potential.
Sustained Performance in High-Pressure Situations: Point's ability to perform well in the playoffs and other high-stakes games speaks to his mental fortitude and competitive spirit.
Potential for Long-Term Success: The challenge for Point will be maintaining his scoring pace as he gets older, and the Lightning team continues to evolve.
Goal-Scoring Consistency: Point's key statistics confirm his consistency and high-scoring potential.

Mika Zibanejad: The Late Bloomer

Zibanejad's significant increase in scoring ability in recent seasons.

Mika Zibanejad's recent scoring surge highlights the possibility of a late-career explosion in offensive output. His late-career boost in scoring makes him a unique case.

Improved Offensive Output: Zibanejad’s recent increase in goals shows a potential for sustained high scoring into his later years.
Factors Contributing to Recent Success: Improved linemates, changes in offensive systems, or an individual evolution in his own style of play could all be contributing factors.
Sustainability of Current Pace: The challenge for Zibanejad is maintaining his new scoring level throughout his later career.
Improved Scoring Totals: Statistics clearly demonstrate Zibanejad's recent increase in goal scoring and its impact.

Patrick Kane: The Veteran's Experience

Kane's proven skill and longevity in the NHL.

Patrick Kane’s vast experience and sustained high level of play throughout his career make him a player to watch. While he's older than many on this list, his consistency is remarkable.

Proven Skill and Longevity: Kane’s longevity in the league is impressive and demonstrates his talent and durability.
Consistent Goal-Scoring: Kane has been a consistent goal scorer throughout most of his NHL career.
Ability to Continue Scoring at a High Level: Maintaining a high level of scoring into his later years would be the most impressive aspect of a potential record-breaking run.
Long-Term Goal-Scoring Prowess: Kane’s stats show his long-term goal-scoring ability, but the question is whether it will continue at the current pace.

Conclusion

Nine NHL players have the potential to challenge Ovechkin's goal-scoring record, each bringing unique strengths and trajectories to the race. Connor McDavid’s speed and skill, Auston Matthews’ sniper's accuracy, Leon Draisaitl’s all-around offense, and the rising stars like Jack Hughes and Kirill Kaprizov all pose a threat. Jason Robertson’s consistency, Brayden Point’s playoff prowess, Mika Zibanejad’s late-career surge, and even veteran Patrick Kane's experience add layers of intrigue to this ongoing narrative. Who will ultimately eclipse Ovechkin’s goal record? Only time will tell. Share your thoughts in the comments below on which player you believe will eventually eclipse Ovechkin's goal record and check back for updates on their progress!