The Great 8 is now only 37 goals behind Gretzky for all-time MOST goals scored. I emphasize most because the eras the greatest goal scorers established their records compared to when OV played. It’s absolutely astonishing he could eclipse Gretzky this year, even though in my opinion, even once he was in the 700s, eras taken into account, he was the greatest goal scorer. Fact that he is still blasting away and may officially become the best goal scorer ever is just fucking amazing. Quite a few Gretzky records people didn’t think would fall and this is one of them, I’m routing for OV just for the sheer insanity of what he’s accomplished. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.

-Lifelong LA Kings fan

PS: Myabe we can track Ovechkin’s race here

OV is probably my favorite player of the last couple of decades, I still don’t think he is the pure goal scorer 99 was. I would argue that Gretzky scored those goals in a far more defensive era of hockey (neutral zone trap).

I know more about 80s and 90 hockey than i do about now.
I know Gretzky wouldn't have as many goals with his teammates. Paul Coffey and Jari Curri just to name two. The Oilers had a dynasty there.
I dont know who OV had.
That bein said there also two different eras. Just look at the goalies padding then to now.
If I had to make an all star team both would be on it for different reasons though.

Ovi is one of the most likeable players in the NHL. And he will break Gretzky's goal record without doubt. It in no way equates him to Gretzky. Can you imagine if there had been no red line in the Gretzky years? If the two line pass didn't exist then? If Gretzky could have played with the high tech carbon sticks they use now instead of the wooden sticks? Gretzky is The Great One and we will never see another because the era's are far too different.

3 more for OV, pretty crazy he’s tied for first in the league. I don’t think he will keep it up, but insane at his age he’s up there. I know it’s hard to judge between very different eras, but during Gretzky’s early/prime years goals were far easier to come by. Obviously last half of his career also fell in probably the worst goal scoring era (90s), but I feel like overall, top goal scorers during Gretzky’s time were higher than OV. Obviously OV is just a pure goal scorer and why I think he’s the best there, but Gretzky is and always will be the greatest playmaker the game has ever seen. He could see the ice like no one else and pass and score extremely well obviously, but I guess IMO, I think OV gets the nod for goal scoring.

Good point too about Gretzky playing on one of the best dynasties ever. OV has never had nearly the same level team compared to the rest of the league. I think one of the biggest things to me is the goalies and how much better they are now VS then.

ETA: I decided to look at some of the best goal scorers for fun and realized Gretzky and OV are almost exactly the same goals/game at .60. Couple glaring oversights are Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux, who carry a .76 and .75 goals per game. Lemieux playing, in a harder defensive era than Bossy, I’d give him the edge. Plus Bossy did all his scoring in his prime. Too bad Super Mario never got to play a full career, it’d be interesting to see where his goal, assist, and point numbers would have ended up. He’s the only one on the same level points per game as Gretzky.

He is a great player and I hopes he beats 99's record but he will never have 4 Stanley Cup wins.