Jeremy Roenick and Tim Peel on Ovechkin Breaking Gretzky’s Record

Jeremy Roenick and Tim Peel talk about what the Capitals need to do to give Ovechkin a chance to pass Gretzky’s all-time goal record.

Just a few months ago, the hockey world was in awe at Alex Ovechkin’s longest goal drought of his career – 18 games. Fast forward to this past week, where Ovechkin is now on a 5-game heater with a goal in each contest. This is what the “Great 8” does though, he can score goals at any given moment. 

Now at age 38, Ovechkin sits in 2nd place with 835 career goals, which is just 59 goals behind Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record.

"Just when we rip him and tell him he's not going to break the record he just rattles off five games in a row with a goal...this is just how good of a goal scorer he is."

via Jeremy Roenick, Snipes and Stripes

This brings Roenick and Peel to their main debate: What must happen to get Ovechkin to surpass Gretzky’s record? 

The two argue that Ovechkin just does not have his usual set-up guys anymore, whether that be on the power play on 5-on-5. 

Backstrom was Ovi’s main assist guy for years, and now he is retired. Kuznetsov, who also has been known to be one of the league’s top passers, is now a part of the NHL’s substance abuse program. This leaves not many options for Ovechkin to be set up, as right now his primary guy is Dylan Strome. 

This is not to say Dylan Strome is a bad player, but there just aren’t many skilled guys on the Capitals currently that can help get Ovechkin to the goal-scoring finish line.

Ultimately, Roenick and Peel want the Capitals front office to sign a better cast of surrounding players for Ovechkin’s last few years. They need more talent to play with Ovechkin, and another “set-up” guy or two for him. 

Without this, Ovechkin may hit another goal-scoring drought, further regressing his race. Ovechkin does not have a ton of years left, and it feels only right that the Capitals give him the chance to finish what he started over 18 years ago.