As Alex Ovechkin zeroes in on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record for regular-season goals (894), it’s like a pursuit from the past. Just a couple of generations ago, Gordie Howe was zeroing in on Maurice Richard’s all-time record (544).
While he was slightly before my sports reporter days, I know enough about Rocket Richard — from watching him live on TV and listening two colleagues who saw him in the flesh — to have a sense of what a prolific goal scorer he was. It goes beyond the 544 goals, all scored in seasons that never exceeded 70 games, the first seven seasons just 50 games.
Like Gretzky, Richard watched the race in retirement. Unlike Gretzky, arguably greater than all players before him, The Rocket was first and foremost a goal scorer.
So is Ovechkin.
Those who watched Richard from ringside, or the press box, always mentioned his eyes. When he saw the chance to score, his eyes lit up, igniting the passion nobody else ever had, or maybe ever has. When Ovechkin sees the chance, it ignites his whole body.
Numbers aside, they were born to score.
Gretzky emulated his childhood hero, Gordie Howe. They were born to control the puck…and the game, as dominant superstars do. They were more complete superstars than Richard and Ovechkin.
Time, talent and expansion dulled Richard’s goal-scoring feats. His 544 goals now ranks 33rd on the all-time list, behind such gifted yet non-prolific scorers as Dino Ciccarelli, Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Jarome Iginla and Mark Recchi. His greatest season — 50 goals — is tied for 171st all-time. The Rocket isn’t even the Montreal Canadiens’ greatest career goal scorer. Guy Lafleur is.
Gretzky, in setting his record, played 509 more games than Richard did. Howe played almost twice as many. Of the 32 players ahead of The Rocket, only seven scored more often than his 1.79 games-per-goal: Gretzky, Ovechkin, Mario Lemeiux, Brett Hull and his father Bobby, Phil Esposito and Mike Bossy.
Most hockey historians likely agree…nobody scored goals like Richard. There’s a reason the trophy bearing his name goes to the player with the most goals every season. There’s a reason Ovechkin’s name is on that trophy nine times, six more than anybody else.
In the end, Howe passed Richard, and Gretzky passed Howe (801). For the past 71 years, they are the only three players to be called the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. And now, here comes Ovechkin, different from the others but most like The Rocket. Will be break Gretzky’s record? Perhaps, but life brings uncertainty. A few years ago, it was a given that Tiger Woods (14) would win more majors than Jack Nicklaus (18). He has one major in 17 years and, having just celebrated his 49th birthday, that ship has sailed.
Some don’t want Ovechkin to pass Gretzky. He’s not Canadian and, as a Russian, he’s been linked to Vladimir Putin. On the other hand, Gretzky and Nicklaus — and Bobby Orr — are supporters of the convicted felon about to be the U.S. President. Double standards, maybe?
Personally, I hope the player most like the NHL’s greatest goal scorer becomes the next greatest goal scorer. My sense is Rocket Richard would feel that way, too.
