NHL insider makes shocking prediction for Alex Ovechkin during push to break Wayne Gretzky's record

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Graham Montgomery
November 12, 2024 (9:14 PM)

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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman doubled down on his take today that Alex Ovechkin will not break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record this season.

Many hockey fans were concerned about Ovechkin when video emerged this summer of him seemingly struggling to skate. At the time, fans thought he had let himself go physically and that he would continue to regress on the ice. After a season where he very much looked his age last year, those concerns were justified. However, it seems as though he has dipped into a fountain of youth once again as he is off to a very hot start this season.

Unsurprisingly, his hot start has become a popular topic of discussion around the league as everyone is anticipating him setting a new all-time goal record.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has been involved in these discussions, as we can see with his comments in yesterday's episode of 32 thoughts.

"He's, you know, just over 30 from it now. And I think that we all have to recognize that, you know, like at the beginning of the year, my reaction was like I said, I don't think he's getting there this year, but we'll see where he is."

Just a couple of nights ago, Ovechkin recorded his second multi-goal game of the season en route to an eight-one victory over the St. Louis Blues. This gave him his ninth and 10th goals of the season, putting him on pace for 58 goals this year.

As Friedman noted, he is currently just 31 goals away from tying the record, so it is well within reach this season if he can maintain his prolific scoring rate.

Even Gretzky himself has recognized that Ovechkin will break his record, whether or not that happens this season. Luckily, he has been a good sport about it, even cheering him on in anticipation of the historic moment.

"Listen, it's not a question of if he's going to break the record, it's a question of when is he going to break the record, which is great for the game. It's positive, and he's been such a classy player for our sport for so many years, good for him."

The Capitals have been a surprise to many as they have been a wagon this year after a mediocre season where they barely squeaked into the playoffs.

The great eight has been a big part of that with 10 goals through 14 games. At this point it feels like he is pressing to break the record as soon as possible, so be sure to tune in to as many Capitals games this season as possible.