Fifth goal by Ovechkin (video)

Howe says Ovechkin is a throwback.

By John Grigg, THN, Oct. 7, 2009:

After Tuesday night’s games, at least one media outlet began running graphics about just what kind of numbers Alex Ovechkin is on pace to put up this year. Numbers were splashed across the television screen that looked more like area codes than anything else – 137 and 246, as in goals and points Ovie is on pace for after three games.

Not that we think it’s anywhere near possible he’ll reach those lofty numbers – and, for the record, why even bother putting them out there – but wouldn’t it be fun?

And since we’re all about fun around here, we thought it’d be fun to look at the 10 best goal-scoring seasons of all-time. But to be fair to players not named Wayne, we decided individuals could only appear on this list once. So we went with career-best totals; if we didn’t there’d only be six names on the list. As for Ovie, he’ll have to better his career best of 65 goals – most ever for a left winger – in 2007-08 to make our list.

Who does make our list? Find out with THN.com’s Top 10 goal-scoring seasons:

10. Lanny McDonald, 66 goals, Calgary, 1982-83

9. Mike Bossy, 69 goals, NY Islanders, 1978-79

8. Bernie Nicholls, 70 goals, Los Angeles, 1988-89

7. Jari Kurri, 71 goals, Edmonton, 1984-85

6. Teemu Selanne, 76 goals, Winnipeg, 1992-93

5. Phil Esposito, 76 goals, Boston, 1970-71

4. Alexander Mogilny, 76 goals, Buffalo, 1992-93

3. Mario Lemieux, 85 goals, Pittsburgh, 1988-89

2. Brett Hull, 86 goals, St. Louis, 1990-91

1. Wayne Gretzky, 92 goals, Edmonton, 1981-82

more...


In 4 seasons before this one Ovechkin has scored 219 goals with average of 55 goals per season. Wayne Gretzky said about Ovi, "I think he could score 90 in a season."

        GP  G
2008-09 79 56
2007-08 82 65
2006-07 82 46
2005-06 81 52
-------------
Average 81 55
Total     219     

Here we project 13 year's contract:

YR  SEASON     G
13 2020-2021  879
12 2019-2020  824
11 2018-2019  769
10 2017-2018  714
09 2016-2017  659
08 2015-2016  604
07 2014-2015  549
06 2013-2014  494
05 2012-2013  439
04 2011-2012  384
03 2010-2011  329 
02 2009-2010  274
01 2008-2009  219

Wayne Gretzky averaged about 44 goals over his career and finished with 894 goals. Ovechkin will be 35 by the end of his 13 year contract with projected 879 goals. Great 8 will only need to score 16 more goals after that to top the Great One...

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