Leading NHL scorer Wayne Gretzky spoke of Washington captain Alexander Ovechkin's chances of setting a new career goal record.
– I think it will be good for hockey. Some people do not believe me, but my relatives, my friends and people from my circle know that I have always believed and said so. It will be just great for the whole sport.
What he did as a player, and what I did when I was an athlete, no one can take away from us. And I'm really proud of that. I know how hard I have worked to get to that level.
And if he can do it, then it will be good for our sport. We want to develop, become larger. And if he surpasses me, it will make our sport better.
Is it realistic that he can beat my record? Oh yeah! But the next two years will be very important for him. Because the older you get, the harder it gets. But I think if he can score 45 goals this season and 45 more next, then he really has a great chance, ”Gretzky said.
Gretzky has scored 894 goals in his career. Ovechkin currently has 738 goals.