Former Avangard head coach Fedor Kanareikin offered his perspective on Alexander Ovechkin’s bid to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record in the National Hockey League. Kanareikin’s remarks were shared as part of a broader discussion about the Washington Capitals star’s future on the ice.
Kanareikin noted that this season, Ovechkin has advanced toward the 50-goal milestone, suggesting that reaching 50 goals over the next two years is within reach. He stressed the importance of sustaining performance in the coming seasons and emphasized that Ovechkin must avoid the kinds of long-standing issues that could derail his trajectory. The coach’s point was that maintaining consistency is crucial as the player ages and as the demands of the game increase with each season.
Turning 40 may come with natural constraints, Kanareikin observed. While genetics and a lifetime of conditioning provide a strong foundation, the physical toll of a rigorous NHL schedule can still take its toll. The coach highlighted that Ovechkin’s health remains a key factor in any realistic plan to chase Gretzky’s record, noting that even players with elite talent can encounter periods where their physical form fluctuates. The broader takeaway is that longevity at the highest level depends as much on health and discipline as on raw ability.
In the current campaign, Ovechkin has appeared in 64 games, contributing 21 goals and 31 assists. His recent milestone was reached in a game against the Florida Panthers on February 25, when he played in his 1,400th NHL contest. The milestone underscores a career defined by durability and sustained impact, even as the pursuit of legendary totals continues to capture attention from fans and analysts alike.
Across his career, Ovechkin has tallied 843 goals in the NHL. Gretzky, widely recognized as the league’s greatest scorer, holds the record with 894 goals, leaving a gap of 51 goals for Ovechkin to close. The difference is a reminder of the scale of Gretzky’s achievement and the extraordinary consistency required to close that gap. As each season unfolds, discussions about how, when, and if the record could fall become a focal point for Capitals supporters and hockey observers around North America.
Meanwhile, news from the league also highlighted other notable achievements, such as Kirill Kaprizov establishing a distinctive Minnesota record. This development adds to the sense that record-setting moments continue to shape the narrative around the league, offering fresh context for fans who follow shooting, scoring, and the evolving record books with keen interest.