NHL's Huge Plans for Alex Ovechkin's Historic Goal to Surpass Wayne Gretzky Have Been Revealed
Photo credit: © Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Alexander Ovechkin is now only three goals from tying and four goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record, and the NHL has big plans to celebrate.
Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of the all-time NHL goal-scoring record has been the narrative that has dominated the 2024-25 season.
Ovechkin is now just four goals from beating the all-time record
On Sunday, "The Great 8" tallied his 890th goal, deflecting a shot in the third period of Washington's 8-5 victory over Buffalo. That record leaves him four goals behind Wayne Gretzky's 894.
Having nine games remaining in the regular season, Ovechkin needs three goals to equal Gretzky or four to surpass him outright. Given his goal-scoring prowess, the record can come at any moment now.
The NHL already has plans to celebrate this milestone in style. TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger spoke about some of the league's plans on 'Insider Trading'.
"I mean, they've been talking about this, they've been about planning this from a production perspective, I think for several weeks, if not months. So what I'm told now is that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer are likely going to join an NHL entourage when Ovechkin is four goals out.
So if Ovi scores against the Boston Bruins tonight, being Tuesday night, then I think the head office of the National Hockey League will jump on board," Dreger said.
"Undoubtedly, Alex's family will be there, the ownership of the Washington Capitals will be part of the tour group.... But there's also production ads that go along with this as well.
Again, from that four-goal plateau moving forward, additional cameras for all of the networks who are covering the Washington Capitals. So there'll be a lot more fanfare and production and some high-powered fans following Ovechkin's push," Dreger added.
So if Ovi scores against the Boston Bruins tonight, being Tuesday night, then I think the head office of the National Hockey League will jump on board," Dreger said.
"Undoubtedly, Alex's family will be there, the ownership of the Washington Capitals will be part of the tour group.... But there's also production ads that go along with this as well.
Again, from that four-goal plateau moving forward, additional cameras for all of the networks who are covering the Washington Capitals. So there'll be a lot more fanfare and production and some high-powered fans following Ovechkin's push," Dreger added.
If and when Ovechkin passes Gretzky, having "The Great One" available for the ceremony would be an unforgettable passing of the torch from two of hockey's greatest goal-scorers of all time.
Previously on Blade of steel
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2 | 405 ANSWERS NHL's Huge Plans for Alex Ovechkin's Historic Goal to Surpass Wayne Gretzky Have Been Revealed Will Alex Ovechkin break the NHL goal record this season? | ||
| Yes | 376 | 92.8 % |
| No | 29 | 7.2 % |
| List of polls | ||