Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod head coach Igor Larionov has recently spoken about Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin and his chase of the NHL all-time regular-season goal record. He shared his thoughts in a conversation reported by Match TV, emphasizing both the historical context and the very personal stakes of the pursuit.
“I have known Sasha since I was 14 years old. And I hope he continues to treat himself professionally. Everything is in his hands and power. And if he keeps up his training and attitude at the highest level, Gretzky’s record will be broken faster than we expected”, Larionov said. The sentiment underscores a long-standing belief among longtime teammates and coaches that Ovechkin’s drive, work ethic, and daily routines will determine when he surpasses the benchmark set by Wayne Gretzky, a milestone that has defined generations of NHL excellence.
In this NHL season, Ovechkin has appeared in nine games, delivering two goals and six assists. Across the span of his illustrious NHL career, the Russian forward has tallied 824 goals, a figure that places him on a historically elevated plane and highlights how far he is from Gretzky’s unassailable record. The gap stands at 70 goals, with Gretzky at 894 for the regular season. In third place sits Gordie Howe, who recorded 801 goals over his storied career. These numbers not only reflect a calculation of time and talent but also the evolving nature of the league, training methods, and player longevity across eras. They remind fans that record-chasing is as much about consistency and opportunity as it is about natural talent and scoring ability.
A former Capitals coach weighed in on the broader performance conversation, offering a diagnostic view of the team’s struggles. He highlighted issues such as roster depth, the impact of injuries, and the need for sustained goaltending reliability as part of a larger puzzle. The perspective suggests that while Ovechkin’s personal pursuit commands attention, a team’s success depends on a coordinated effort that balances superstar contributions with steady, complementary play from every line and position. In this light, the Capitals’ present season can be seen as a test of cohesion, resilience, and the capacity to translate individual greatness into team wins.