To beat Wayne Gretzky, he would need to play 243 games, about three seasons. So, at 39, the Russian phenomenon may finally reach the top of the all-time score list. However, the Capitals have already played 14 games this season. To complete the feat in 2023-24, he would need to average a goal every 1.5 games over the next two seasons.
Ovechkin scored 887 goals in 2023-24, an average of 1.6 per game. So in October 2024-25, Alexander Ovechkin would be the one who has flashed the red light the most. Given his age, we can expect him to slow down and beat the record around the middle or end of the 2024-25 season. If he keeps scoring 55+ goals every year, he'll break the record in 2023-24. In a more reasonable scenario, if he scores around 40 goals per season for the following few years, he should break the mark in 2024-25, shortly before his 40th birthday.
The good news is that he's under contract through 2025-26. The great number 8 will also need to stay fit. These are basic calculations, but let's hope he achieves this major milestone before his career ends!
