Alexander Ovechkin: “Scoring 1,000 NHL goals is unrealistic. Have you seen how they play hockey now?

Watch the full version of the conversation today on “All for the game!”. Meanwhile, an announcement in which the Washington captain talks about global career goals.

Everyone expects Ovechkin (822) to pass Gretzky (894) in career NHL goals. And it is close. But if you think about it, Alexander the Great could have gone for 1,000 regular season goals in the NHL. He has three seasons ahead of him under a contract with the Capitals. If you imagine that Ovi will score 40 goals per league, then in three years he will have 942 goals. Extend the contract for a few more years, which will be incredibly happy in the American capital – and here it is, the precious thousand!

– Don’t you think Wayne Gretzky’s NHL sniper record miraculously survived? Gordie Howe (801) didn’t play in the league for eight years, leaving for the WHA. Jaromir Jagr (766) played for three years at Avangard. Mario Lemieux (690) battled cancer, Mike Bossy (573) retired from hockey at age 30 when his knees fell. Gretzky could overtake – sooner or later. This is the record to beat.

Someone could, but didn’t. Each time there were reasons that you listed. On the other hand, I still can’t believe Gretzky’s record can be surpassed. It looks like I have 72 goals left, but there are a lot of factors. Injuries, accidents…

Of course, I will try to do my best. But I don’t want to guess now. Wait and watch.

– And score 1,000 goals – is that really possible?

– Well, if you count my goals for the Russian national team, for Dynamo Moscow …

“No, I’m talking about the NHL. So you pass Gretzky, and after what? In advance after the three years of the contract.

Do you think I will beat his record this year?

– Passing Gretzky is one thing. Being the first to score 1,000 NHL goals is quite another. That’s an incredible number!

– I think it’s not realistic.

– RIGHT?

– Yes. You are looking at today’s league, modern hockey. Have you seen how they play? Unreal.

Does the game change a lot? Fighting has been banned in the Quebec Junior League.

Hockey has changed since I came to the NHL. I had to constantly readjust myself. I was lucky, thank God, to have avoided serious injuries. Consistency is one of the keys to success.

If you look at the players who come to the NHL, yes, they are skilled and technical. But they are not very strong physically, unfortunately. If you were forcibly hit, you must hold it. Take the weight. However, most guys who play the puck well don’t always show the physique at the right time, and they have issues.

– Let’s not think about the 2026 Olympics, which will be held in Milan…

We talk about it every year!

“So we’re not guessing. But does the hunt for an Olympic medal as a manager or coach have any meaning for you? Is it the same as winning a medal as a player?

So I’m still a player. Did you sign me up as a coach? Or even managers? Well you give!

– In 15 years, Sergey Ovechkin will play in this team.

— A bold plan, but you have to live until then. Let’s not rush into this subject.

– Matvey Michkov was recently transferred from the edge to the center. This is a good way to solve the problem of center forwards in Russian hockey. Could you have been transferred from the edge to the center when you were a child?

– Also, I started playing center hockey. Only then did they put me on edge.

– Is it difficult for a winger to be a centre-forward?

– It’s completely different! You have to be responsible for leaving the zone, for the central formation… It’s a whole different game. The winger has a more relaxed mode, when you are only responsible for your flank. We must keep the rhythm in attack and in the defensive zone, but on the lookout. This is another line of work.

– In my youth, we used to go to Dynamo’s guest room and talk with the fans. And now on the Internet you write comments incognito, under the pseudonym on the left?

– There is no. And before, when I was a fan, I wrote on the forums. Remember that back then the page took 10 minutes to load. I bombarded them with messages like Dynamo are champions. I was 12-13 years old.

– And under the articles, go read the comments of the fans on you?

– Interesting to read. But anyway, whatever people say, it was different before. You have played a match and you immediately access the Dynamo guestbook. What did they say about the game? What about hockey players? To rent out? Scolded? Then I read it all. And current fan comments echo those guest comments.

“Barbie” or “Oppenheimer”?

– What is this?

– The whole world is divided into two parts. Which side are you on – pink or black and white?

“I do not know what you’re talking about !” I haven’t watched any movies!

“Now it’s Barbeamania.”

– I certainly don’t.

Watch Alexander Ovechkin’s interview on Tuesday, August 15 at 9:30 p.m. (Moscow time) on All for the Match! on the channel.