It’s the birthday of a bonafide legend! The “Great One” Wayne Gretzky celebrates his 64th birthday today as he continues to arguably be the best player in NHL history. With 894 goals in his career, the retired Canadian ice hockey icon to this day is the benchmark all athletes aspire to match up to. Among these stars, the Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has by far the best claim to overtake Gretzky’s goal record. But that’s only one of the areas the Russian can hope to surpass the Edmonton Oilers’ icon.

Gretzky hung up his hockey skates in 1999. And yet, his incredible stats, including hauling 200 points in four seasons and 61 NHL records, are yet to be toppled from their high seat. But Ovechkin seems determined to usurp at least one of those thrones in his lifetime because one record in particular might be beyond his reach!

A post by Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer on X from January 26 congratulated Wayne Gretzky on his birthday. “The greatest player in the history of the NHL…Wayne Gretzky turns 64 today,” the post notes with elation, and with that, the social media update also highlights how the Capitals left winger is still miles behind Gretzky when it comes to lifetime achievements.

“Ovechkin won’t be catching the @EdmontonOilers legend in assists..,he trails Gretzky by 1254…lol!” sneers the post, despite noting that Ovechkin is only 19 behind Gretzky’s 894 goals. But with 1,963 assists, it seems like the Canadian is running away with the top spot against Ovechkin’s 709. 

With a career spanning across four teams, Gretzky racked up accolades that would awe even non-NHL fans. His towering achievements have inspired generations of stars to make the hockey puck their bread and butter. And yet, despite countless efforts by several players, the ex-Oilers star has retained his GOAT status without much worries about losing it. However, Ovechkin has been flexing his muscles with determination, and even the Great One believes the former has the abilities to dismantle him from the top spot in the NHL.

Wayne Gretzky knows the old must give way to the new

The Washington Capitals star began his season with 853 goals. Last Thursday, he helped the team register another emphatic 3-0 victory over the  Seattle Kraken with his 22nd goal of the season, moving to 875 and only 20 shy of surpassing Gretzky’s all-time record. You better believe that the Canadian will have to make way for the new blood because Wayne Gretzky himself believes so. “It’s just a matter of time, whether it’s late this year, early next year, whenever. I mean, he’s a great player. He’s a great goal scorer,” the retired NHL icon told NHL.com earlier this season about the possibility of Alexander breaking his record.

On the other hand, the Capitals are also eyeing a historic season themselves, and it looks like the athletes are also doing everything in their power to ensure a memorable season. However, the Gretzky loyalists aren’t ready just yet to see their favorite hero being the second on the NHL goal-scoring list, and one fan recently took to social media to note their frustration over the matter. ‘He should not be allowed to tie or break it with an empty netter!” the fan said, and we can all feel the anxiety! How about you? When do you think Ovechkin will be able to snatch Wayne Gretzky’s spot? Tell us!