Will anyone top Ovechkin’s NHL goals record? Celebrini is the best bet from an unlikely field

Sean Gentille analyzes potential contenders to surpass Alex Ovechkin's NHL regular-season scoring record, identifying Macklin Celebrini as the most viable candidate among a field of long shots. Ovechkin announced that the 2026-27 season will be his last after setting the mark with 929 goals, surpassing Wayne Gretzky. Gentille argues that Celebrini's early 70-goal start as a teenager and his high-efficiency shooting make him the best long-term bet to challenge the record.

The analysis also evaluates veteran stars Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid, but projects them to fall short of Ovechkin's total. While Draisaitl maintains high durability and power-play production, Matthews has faced availability issues, and McDavid frequently prioritizes playmaking over pure goal-scoring. Gentille concludes that replicating Ovechkin's extraordinary combination of durability, longevity, and consistency remains extremely unlikely for any modern player.