Five Records Alex Ovechkin Could Break In 2015

Alex Ovechkin Could Break The Record For Most Goals Since 2000

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin is historically good at scoring goals. It comes as no surprise that Ovechkin has a reasonable shot at breaking a record involving putting the biscuit in the basket. Currently, Ovechkin has 475 goals in the 21st century. Jarome Iginla of the Colorado Avalanche is the current leader with 498 goals, leaving Ovechkin 23 goals behind Iginla. The crazy thing? Alex Ovechkin gave Iginla a four year start, as Ovechkin didn’t even play a game in the NHL until 2005. Iginla has played 320 more games than Ovechkin. 

There are, however, a major complication to breaking this record. Iginla is still active, and while he isn’t as excellent at scoring goals as Ovi, he’s still better than most. At the age of 37 years old, Iginla scored 29 goals (tied for 16th in the NHL). He’ll be 38 years old this season, but Iginla has done a great job of minimizing the effects of Father Time. The last time that Iginla scored less than 29 goals in a season that wasn’t shortened by a lockout? 1998, when he scored 28.

It’s safe to assume that Iginla will score at least 29 goals. If Iginla scores 29 goals next season, Alex Ovechkin will be 52 goals behind Iginla. He’d need to score 53 goals in that scenario in order to pass Iginla. This number, of course, will vary depending on how many goals Iginla scores in 2015-2016. This isn’t a *huge* record, but it is a record that makes you realize just how much better Alex Ovechkin is at scoring goals than his peers.

LIKELIHOOD OF BREAKING THE RECORD: I think it is stretching it a bit to say that Ovechkin will have another 53 goal season, but again, that number could vary. The safe bet is that Ovechkin will have to score at least 53 goals, since Iginla is remarkably consistent of scoring at least 29 goals. I’ll put his chances at 50%. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ovi broke this record because there isn’t much that Ovi could do at this point that would surprise me. I’ve come to expect greatness from him. For Ovechkin, greatness is routine.

Next: Most Shots On Goal Since 1999