Greatest Goal Scorers in NHL History
Alex Ovechkin has mastered the goal celebration by scoring lots of goals.Too many compilations of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history are little more than tedious duplications of the all-time list. Well, you won’t get that here, puckheads. Nope. Unh-uh. We want quantity and quality on our list.
We want big shooters who light it up in the regular season. We want snipers who come up big in the postseason. And we want guys who beat goalies like rented mules over and over again.
We're also big on fairness. Because all generations aren’t one and the same, we’ve relied on adjusted goals totals (per Hockey Reference) to level the ice surface. That weeds out some of those who padded their stats in the live puck era (roughly 1980 to 1993). It also rewards a few others who excelled in times when defense wasn’t optional.
So don't expect to see all the usual suspects here. There might be a few names you haven’t seen in a while. Let’s fire away.
30. Frank Mahovlich
Frank Mahovlich was born in Timmins, Ontario, in 1938.Career: 1956-74 (18 seasons)
Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens
Games: 1,181
Goals: 533
Goals per game: .451
Frank Mahovlich Stats
Frank Mahovlich, left, was known as "Big M."Even strength: 400
Power play: 122
Shorthanded: 11
Game-winning: 82
Shots on goal: 3,366*
Shooting percentage: 14.6*
*Asterisk denotes statistics are incomplete.
Bottom Line: Frank Mahovlich
Frank Mahovlich, right, scored 533 goals in his career."The Big M" was listed at 6-foot-1, but he played a lot bigger. His powerful stride, long reach and heavy shot made for colossal mismatches, as evidenced by the fact that 75 percent of his goals came at equal strength.
Problem was, he made the game look a bit too easy for his own good at times. Prickly Maple Leafs fans even booed him at a Stanley Cup victory parade. Two nervous breakdowns later, he was dealt to the Red Wings, with whom he put up his best numbers.
And Maple Leafs fans have had plenty to boo ever since.
29. Steve Shutt
Steve Shutt, top right, had a nose for the net.Career: 1972-85 (13 seasons)
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings
Games: 930
Goals: 424
Goals per game: .455
Steve Shutt Stats
Steve Shutt played 13 seasons in the NHL.Even strength: 329
Power play: 95
Shorthanded: 0
Game-winning: 50
Shots on goal: 2,403
Shooting percentage: 17.6
Bottom Line: Steve Shutt
He's Steve Shutt, and he scored on a regular basis.Aha! Forgot about him, didn’t you? Well, we almost did, too.
Then the numbers reminded us just how important "Shutty" was to the Canadiens' dynasty of the seventies, one of our favorite eras.
The guy scored at least 30 goals in nine consecutive seasons and was even more dominant in the postseason, where he ranks 16th in playoff goals per game in league history.
28. Mike Gartner
Mike Gartner, right, made life miserable for opposing goalies.Career: 1979-98 (19 seasons)
Teams: Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes
Games: 1,432
Goals: 708
Goals per game: .494
Mike Gartner Stats
Mike Gartner, left, did whatever it took to score goals.Even strength: 467
Power play: 217
Shorthanded: 24
Game-winning: 90
Shots on goal: 5,090
Shooting percentage: 13.9
Bottom Line: Mike Gartner
Mike Gartner played in 1,432 career games.We know the Hall of Fame argument here. The guy played in the live puck era. Didn’t win any major awards. Didn’t make his mark in the postseason.
But this list is about goal scorers, and it wouldn’t be complete without a member of the exclusive 700 goal club.
His 609 adjusted goals (19th overall) are still good enough to make the cut despite modest contributions in the playoffs.
27. Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selanne took 4,540 career shots.Career: 1992-2014 (21 seasons)
Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks
Games: 1,451
Goals: 684
Goals per game: .471
Teemu Selanne Stats
Teemu Selanne did a lot of celebrating in his career.Even strength: 422
Power play: 255
Shorthanded: 7
Game-winning: 110
Shots on goal: 4,540
Shooting percentage: 15.1
Bottom Line: Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selanne averaged .471 goals per game in his career.Will we ever see a rookie score 76 goals like "The Finnish Flash" did in the 1992-93 season again? Unless the 4 by 6 becomes 5 by 7 1/2, that record is probably safe for a while.
This guy didn’t cheat at the defensive end, either. He led the league in even-strength goals on two occasions and was a plus-95 overall.
A better postseason resume would have moved him up in the order.
26. Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla had great stick skills.Career: 1996-2017 (20 seasons)
Teams: Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings
Games: 1,554
Goals: 625
Goals per game: .402
Jarome Iginla Stats
Jarome Iginla had a powerful slap shot.Even strength: 415
Power play: 197
Shorthanded: 13
Game-winning: 101
Shots on goal: 4,759
Shooting percentage: 13.1
Bottom Line: Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla, center, scored the majority of his goals with the Calgary Flames."Iggy" scored 30 or more goals in 11 consecutive seasons. Even more impressive, they came in a goalie-friendly era. His 706 adjusted goals rank No. 7 on the all-time list.
Unfortunately, he had limited chances in the playoffs, where he ranks 119th in career goals through no fault of his own.
Welp, those are the breaks.
25. Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin, left, made his NHL debut with the Penguins in 2006.Career: 2006-present (14 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins
Games: 907
Goals: 416
Goals per game: .459
Evgeni Malkin Stats
Evgeni Malkin scored 50 goals in the 2011-12 season.Even strength: 263
Power play: 149
Shorthanded: 4
Game-winning: 73
Shots on goal: 3,045
Shooting percentage: 13.7
Bottom Line: Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.Just when we were about to write him off, "Geno The Machino" looks like his old self again.
He’s another guy whose career goal total is significantly better than it looks in the mainstream record book.
The 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy winner ranks 56th in adjusted goals, and at 34, he has a legit chance to finish among the top 15 of all time.
24. Michel Goulet
Michel Goulet had 63 game-winning goals.Career: 1979-94 (15 seasons)
Teams: Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks
Games: 1,089
Goals: 548
Goals per game: .503
Michel Goulet Stats
Michel Goulet was born in Peribonka, Quebec.Even strength: 353
Power play: 179
Shorthanded: 16
Game-winning: 63
Shots on goal: 3,145
Shooting percentage: 17.4
Bottom Line: Michel Goulet
Michel Goulet was a first-round pick (20th overall) in the 1979 NHL draft.Only if you’re acquainted with crazed French Canadien fans and their equally maniacal expectations can this Quebec native be appreciated fully.
In the mid-1980s, "Goo" put up four 50-plus-goal seasons in a row. He’s also one of only 17 players to average at least a half a goal per game in the modern era.
23. Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman played his whole career with the Detroit Red Wings.Career: 1983-2006 (22 seasons)
Teams: Detroit Red Wings
Games: 1,514
Goals: 692
Goals per game: .457
Steve Yzerman Stats
Steve Yzerman was a first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 1983 NHL draft.Even strength: 440
Power play: 202
Shorthanded: 50
Game-winning: 94
Shots on goal: 4,602
Shooting percentage: 15.0
Bottom Line: Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman ranks 10th all-time in NHL history with 692 goals scored.Steve Yzerman had a tale of two careers. In his 20s, Stevie Y averaged 40.1 goals per season in the live puck era. Included were five seasons of 50 or more.
In his 30s, by which time age and knee/eye issues had begun to take their toll, he averaged 21.1 goals per game in the post-live puck era.
No matter how you slice 'em, only Gordie Howe scored more goals in a Winged Wheels sweater.
22. Mark Messier
Mark Messier won six Stanley Cups in his career.Career: 1979-2004 (25 seasons)
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks
Games: 1,756
Goals: 694
Goals per game: .395
Mark Messier Stats
Mark Messier, right, was a five-time All-Star.Even strength: 452
Power play: 179
Shorthanded: 63
Game-winning: 92
Shots on goal: 4,221
Shooting percentage: 16.4
Bottom Line: Mark Messier
Mark Messier had 92 game-winning goals."Moose" ranks a good-but-not-great 107th in goals per game in the regular season. But as we know, this butt-kicker was more about the playoffs.
There, he ranks behind only longtime homie Wayne Gretzky in total goals (109) and 27th in goals per game (.462).
Mess fun fact: He had one more game-winner than The Great Gretzky in the regular season despite 200 fewer goals.
21. Joe Mullen
Joe Mullen scored 502 career goals.Career: 1981-97 (16 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins
Games: 1,062
Goals: 502
Goals per game: .473
Joe Mullen Stats
Joe Mullen played for four teams in 16 NHL seasons.Even strength: 341
Power play: 150
Shorthanded: 11
Game-winning: 73
Shots on goal: 2,787
Shooting percentage: 18.0
Bottom Line: Joe Mullen
Joe Mullen was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.Physically, it was difficult to tell this 5-foot-9, 180-pounder apart from Joe the Domino’s driver. But his hockey instincts and quick release were off the charts.
How else could he rank among the top 50 in goals scored and goals per game in the regular season and postseason?
The guy is underrated even if he did play in the live puck era.
20. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr played 24 seasons in the NHL.Career: 1990-2008, 2011-18 (24 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
Games: 1,733
Goals: 766
Goals per game: .442
Jaromir Jagr Stats
Jaromir Jagr had a career 13.6 shooting percentage.Even strength: 538
Power play: 217
Shorthanded: 11
Game-winning: 135
Shots on goal: 5,637
Shooting percentage: 13.6
Bottom Line: Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr, right, scored 766 career goals.If Jags had retired after 17 brilliant seasons, he would rank among the top 18 in career goals (646) and goals per game (.507).
He played six-plus more seasons, lit the lamp 120 more times, moved into third place on the all-time goals list but fell to 60th in goals per game. Rather than penalize the ageless wonder for ridiculous longevity — we split the difference.
Mario Jr. fun fact: The all-time leader in game-winners has 24 more than Gordie Howe, who’s next in line.
19. Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille had a 16.9 shooting percentage in his career.Career: 1986-2006 (19 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings
Games: 1,431
Goals: 668
Goals per game: .467
Luc Robitaille Stats
Luc Robitaille played 19 seasons in the NHL.Even strength: 418
Power play: 247
Shorthanded: 3
Game-winning: 89
Shots on goal: 3,961
Shooting percentage: 16.9
Bottom Line: Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille averaged .467 goals per game.He wasn’t a great skater. Didn’t have a laser shot. Didn’t possess a Greek God body. So how in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks does the 171st pick of the 1984 draft have the second-most goals among left wingers in league history?
It wasn’t because he was Lucky Luc, as his nickname suggested. (He got that from the French "Lucky Luke" television cartoons as a kid.) It was because of crazy-good instincts, especially on the power play, where he picked up more loose change than a Venice Beach bum.
It also didn’t hurt that he played with Wayne Gretzky on the same line. OK, maybe he was lucky.
18. Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk played 1,257 career games.Career: 1986-2007 (20 seasons)
Teams: Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers
Games: 1,257
Goals: 564
Goals per game: .449
Joe Nieuwendyk Stats
Joe Nieuwendyk scored 564 goals in his career.Even strength: 337
Power play: 215
Shorthanded: 12
Game-winning: 93
Shots on goal: 3,242
Shooting percentage: 17.4
Bottom Line: Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk, left, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.Some would argue that "Joe Who?" is too high on the list. We say do your homework, pal.
The one-time Conn Smythe Trophy-winner checks in at No. 24 in the regular season and No. 21 in the postseason on the all-time goals lists — and he played the vast majority of his career in the post-live puck era.
He thrived on above-average size, remarkable hand-eye coordination and a sneaky-good, highly efficient shot. That was especially true on the power play, which accounted for 38 percent of his goals.
17. Cam Neely
Cam Neely was a first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 1983 NHL draft.Career: 1983-96 (13 seasons)
Teams: Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins
Games: 726
Goals: 395
Goals per game: .544
Cam Neely Stats
Cam Neely made his NHL debut in 1983 at the age of 18.Even strength: 252
Power play: 142
Shorthanded: 1
Game-winning: 61
Shots on goal: 2,150
Shooting percentage: 18.4
Bottom Line: Cam Neely
Cam Neely scored a career-high 55 goals in the 1989-90 season with the Boston Bruins.This 218-pound load scored the fewest goals of any player on the list. Yet the guy was such a force it wouldn’t be fair to penalize him because knee problems shortened his career.
The power forward is among the top 20 in career goals per game in the regular season (14th) and postseason (fifth), one of only 10 players on the list.
At his peak, Cam Neely averaged 44-plus goals over five seasons.
16. Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur was a six-time All-Star.Career: 1971-85, 1989-91 (17 seasons)
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques
Games: 1,126
Goals: 560
Goals per game: .497
Guy Lafleur Stats
Guy Lafleur, right, played in 1,126 NHL games.Even strength: 403
Power play: 154
Shorthanded: 3
Game-winning: 98
Shots on goal: 3,516
Shooting percentage: 15.9
Bottom Line: Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur scored 560 career goals.In order, "The Flower" scored 53, 53, 56, 60, 52 and 50 goals in the 1974-75 to 1979-80 seasons, one of the most dominant runs in league history.
Give a big assist to the Los Angeles Kings, without whom this would not have been possible. They were the cement heads who traded his draft rights to the Habs in return for over-the-hill Ralph Backstrom, one of the most godawful trades ever.
15. Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure, right, averaged .623 goals per game in his career.Career: 1991-2003 (12 seasons)
Teams: Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers
Games: 702
Goals: 437
Goals per game: .623
Pavel Bure Stats
Pavel Bure was one of hockey's fastest players on the ice.Even strength: 282
Power play: 121
Shorthanded: 34
Game-winning: 59
Shots on goal: 3,130
Shooting percentage: .140
Bottom Line: Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.We still remember the buzz that the rookie of the year created in the 1991-92 season. By the time the "Russian Rocket" was 23 years old, he already had back-to-back 60-goal seasons on his resume.
If knee problems hadn’t cut short his career, we would be talking about 600-plus goals here. Easy.
As it stands, only Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux averaged more goals per game in the modern era. Let that sink in for a while.
14. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft.Career: 2005-present (15 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins
Games: 984
Goals: 462
Goals per game: .470
Sidney Crosby Stats
Sidney Crosby was born in Canada in 1987.Even strength: 319
Power play: 140
Shorthanded: 3
Game-winning: 64
Shots on goal: 3,172
Shooting percentage: 14.6
Bottom Line: Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby has lived up to the hype.The best 200-foot player in the game reminds us of an artist in pursuit of the next Sistine Chapel.
Sid the Elder is such a perfectionist and team guy and so good with the puck, it’s like he wants to pass it into the net now. His shots per game have decreased in each of the last four seasons since 2017.
Seriously, we bet he passed up close to 100 goals over the years. Consider that plus the equivalent of two prime seasons that he sat out because of head trauma, and a legit 600-plus would be a helluva career accomplishment.
13. Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau, right, was tough to stop on the ice.Career: 1950-71 (20 seasons)
Teams: Montreal Canadiens
Games: 1,125
Goals: 507
Goals per game: .451
Jean Beliveau Stats
Jean Beliveau won 10 Stanley Cups.Even strength: 334
Power play: 173
Shorthanded: 0
Game-winning: 83
Shots on goal: 2,627*
Shooting percentage: 11.4*
Bottom Line: Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau, left rear, scored 507 career goals.It’s kinda sad that his name doesn’t always show up on these lists. How soon we forget that, if not for him, the 1950s Canadiens wouldn’t be widely known as the greatest dynasty in pucks history.
"Le Gros Bill" reached the 30-goal mark eight times — the last at 37 years of age — but it was in the playoffs that he was la monnaie.
He’s 10th in goals and 22nd in goals per game in postseason history.
12. Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe, center, scored 801 career goals.Career: 1946-71, 1979-80 (26 seasons)
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers
Games: 1,767
Goals: 801
Goals per game: .453
Gordie Howe Stats
Gordie Howe is second on the NHL's all-time goals list.Even strength: 566
Power play: 211
Shorthanded: 24
Game-winning: 121
Shots on goal: 3,803
Shooting percentage: 10.1
Bottom Line: Gordie Howe
Fans loved "Mr. Hockey."Who’s the real all-time goals leader? Could be none other than "Mr. Hockey," whose 925 adjusted goals are 167 more than Wayne Gretzky, the leader based on raw data.
We tend to forget that, in Gordie Howe's athletic prime, this guy bagged 43, 47 and 49 goals in his ages 22-to-24 seasons. In the era of 70-game schedules, mind you.
Remarkably, he scored 44 goals at age 40 a full 16 years later. Oh, and he was the postseason goals leader three times.
11. Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic, front, made 13.5 percent of his shots.Career: 1988-2009 (20 seasons)
Teams: Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche
Games: 1,378
Goals: 625
Goals per game: .454
Joe Sakic Stats
Joe Sakic was a first-round pick (15th overall) in the 1987 NHL draft.Even strength: 388
Power play: 205
Shorthanded: 32
Game-winning: 86
Shots on goal: 4,621
Shooting percentage: 13.5
Bottom Line: Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic, front, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.As consistent as "Super Joe" was in the regular season, he earned his nickname in the playoffs. There, he averaged .488 goals per game, which ranks 21st on the all-time list.
The 1996 Smythe Trophy-winner was the top goal scorer in the postseason on two occasions, and his team hoisted the Stanley Cup both times.
10. Dino Ciccarelli
Dino Ciccarelli played for five teams in his NHL career.Career: 1980-99 (19 seasons)
Teams: Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers
Games: 1,232
Goals: 608
Goals per game: .494
Dino Ciccarelli Stats
Dino Ciccarelli took 3,706 shots in his career.Even strength: 375
Power play: 232
Shorthanded: 1
Game-winning: 73
Shots on goal: 3,706
Shooting percentage: 16.4
Bottom Line: Dino Ciccarelli
Dino Ciccarelli, left, scored 73 game-winning goals.Remember when Blackhawks fans screamed "Di-no sucks!" while they hung stuffed dinosaurs from the Chicago Stadium rafters? Then, he would draw a penalty or score a goal to really piss 'em off? Yeah, we miss those nights, too.
His villain status overshadowed an ability to score in bunches and score in the clutch. He ranks 13th in goals and goals per game where it counted most — in the playoffs.
All together, girls and boys — Di-no rocks!
9. Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri, right, scored 601 career goals.Career: 1980-98 (17 seasons)
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche
Games: 1,251
Goals: 601
Goals per game: .480
Jari Kurri Stats
Jari Kurri, with puck, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.Even strength: 407
Power play: 155
Shorthanded: 39
Game-winning: 72
Shots on goal: 3,149
Shooting percentage: 19.1
Bottom Line: Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri, center, had 1,398 points in his career.Virtually Jari Kurri's entire career was in the live puck era.
He spent 10 seasons with the run-and-gun Oilers, quite possibly the most talented offensive team ever. And he played alongside Wayne Gretzky for much of it. We call that the "Jari Kurri Hat Trick."
His 1984-86 seasons remain on the short list of best back-to-back ever — 139 goals, 22 game-winners, .276 shooting percentage.
8. Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito took 5,166 shots in his career.Career: 1963-81 (18 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers
Games: 1,282
Goals: 717
Goals per game: .559
Phil Esposito Stats
Phil Esposito played for the Blackhawks, Bruins and Rangers.Even strength: 448
Power play: 246
Shorthanded: 23
Game-winning: 118
Shots on goal: 5,166
Shooting percentage: 13.9
Bottom Line: Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito shot left-handed.For six seasons (1969-75), this slot machine dominated the goals race while everyone else played for second place.
His 1970-71 season (76 goals, 76 assists) remains as surreal now as it was then. Dude, the guy just didn’t break the record (58) for most goals in one season. He obliterated it.
Like the bumper sticker said, "Jesus saves, but Espo scores on the rebound."
7. Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy is the NHL's all-time leader with .762 goals per game.Career: 1977-87 (10 seasons)
Teams: New York Islanders
Games: 752
Goals: 573
Goals per game: .762
Mike Bossy Stats
Mike Bossy, jumping, had nine straight 50-goal seasons.Even strength: 385
Power play: 180
Shorthanded: 8
Game-winning: 80
Shots on goal: 2,709
Shooting percentage: 21.2
Bottom Line: Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy was a boss on the ice.Based on the hard, cold numbers, "Boss" rates as the greatest goal scorer of all time. Nobody averaged more goals per game in league history. Yet the live puck era had something to do with it.
His 461 adjusted goals are 112 less than the given total, which moves him down a few pegs on the list. That said, the guy was as pure a goal scorer as the league has seen at any time.
His quick release and accurate shot were just plain sick, pure and simple.
6. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull, center, scored 610 career goals.Career: 1957-72, 1979-80 (16 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers
Games: 1,063
Goals: 610
Goals per game: .574
Bobby Hull Stats
Bobby Hull was born in Point Anne, Ontario, Canada, in 1939.Even strength: 437
Power play: 154
Shorthanded: 19
Game-winning: 98
Shots on goal: 4,577*
Shooting percentage: 12.7*
Bottom Line: Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull was tough, too."The Golden Jet" was the first player to score more than 50 goals in one season. He reached that magic number five times, three of them in the pre-expansion era. Yet it was how the guy did it that made him even more special.
When he wound up in his own zone before a rush up ice, the anticipation was beyond palpable. So cannon-like was his shot, the puck would hit the back of the net before the goaltender could flinch.
It was criminal that the cheapskates upstairs allowed an all-time talent and fan favorite to leave town.
5. Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft.Career: 2005-20 (15 seasons)
Teams: Washington Capitals
Games: 1,152
Goals: 706
Goals per game: .613
Alex Ovechkin Stats
Alex Ovechkin is one of only eight players in NHL history who has scored 700 or more goals.Even strength: 442
Power play: 260
Shorthanded: 4
Game-winning: 110
Shots on goal: 5,545
Shooting percentage: 12.7
Bottom Line: Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is closing in on the NHL's all-time goals record.The only criticism of "The Great Eight" has been an inability/unwillingness to make his teammates better. Yet we’ve grown to appreciate his durability and obsession to score goals.
That’s why the 34-year-old is a good bet to surpass Wayne Gretzky as the No. 1 goal scorer in league history at some point. After the 2019-20 season, he needs 188 goals to get there.
Even if Ovie has to play on one leg until his mid-40s, he won’t quit until he gets them.
4. Brett Hull
Brett Hull was a sixth-round pick (117th overall) in the 1984 NHL draft.Career: 1986-2006 (19 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes
Games: 1,269
Goals: 741
Goals per game: .584
Brett Hull Stats
Brett Hull was a three-time All-Star.Even strength: 456
Power play: 265
Shorthanded: 20
Game-winning: 110
Shots on goal: 4,876
Shooting percentage: 15.2
Bottom Line: Brett Hull
Brett Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.Brett Hull's three peak seasons (1989-92) were the stuff of Babe Ruth, so much did they dwarf the competition.
The king of the one-timer scored 228 goals on 1,182 shots in that span. By comparison, The Bambino had 161 home runs and 418 RBI in the 1926-1928 campaigns.
Golden Brett fun fact: Only he, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux rank among the top 15 in goals scored and goals per game in the regular season and playoffs.
3. Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard was nicknamed "Rocket." For good reason.Career: 1942-60 (18 seasons)
Teams: Montreal Canadiens
Games: 978
Goals: 544
Goals per game: .556
Maurice Richard Stats
"Rocket" Richard scored 544 career goals.Even strength: 397
Power play: 143
Shorthanded: 4
Game-winning: 84
Shots on goal: 166*
Shooting percentage: 11.4*
Bottom Line: Maurice Richard
Maurice "Rocket" Richard was a 14-time All-Star.Never mind the raw numbers. They came in a six-team league with no more than a 70-game schedule. Take that into account, and the "Rocket" zooms from 32nd to 10th on the all-time goals list. Yeah, that’s more like it.
In the 1944-45 season, he became the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, which had been a pipe dream at the time. He led the league in goals five times in the regular season, five more in the postseason.
Did we mention his six overtime winners? He didn’t just score goals. He could will them.
2. Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is the NHL's all-time leader in career points with 2,857.Career: 1979-99 (20 seasons)
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
Games: 1,487
Goals: 894
Goals per game: .601
Wayne Gretzky Stats
Wayne Gretzky made 17.6 percent of his shots.Even strength: 617
Power play: 204
Shorthanded: 73
Game-winning: 91
Shots: 5,088
Shooting percentage: 17.6
Bottom Line: Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky, left, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.The Great Gretzky really was great. But enough about Janet Jones. Fact is, her hubby was luckier than a five-leaf clover. Lucky to be in the live puck era, lucky to be with a loaded team, lucky to be in a first-to-score-five-wins system, lucky to be in a league that protected him.
Look, this isn’t meant to diminish his positive influence and otherworldly skill level. It’s just that, through no fault of his own, those cartoonish numbers aren’t quite what they appear to be.
For the record, he’s No. 4 in adjusted goals.
1. Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, left, played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.Career: 1984-1997, 2000-06 (17 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins
Games: 915
Goals: 690
Goals per game: .754
Mario Lemieux Stats
Mario Lemieux won three Hart Trophies.Even strength: 405
Power play: 236
Shorthanded: 49
Game-winning: 74
Shots: 3,633
Shooting percentage: 19.0
Bottom Line: Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux is the GOAT of NHL goal scorers.The Cliff’s Notes version of why No. 66 is No. 1:
1. Despite myriad health problems, Hodgkin's lymphoma among them, Super Mario ranks first in goals per game in the playoffs and second in the regular season, the best evidence of his utter dominance. Let’s also not forget that the guy was clutched and grabbed more than any player we can remember. Seriously, not even Bodacious the rodeo bull was treated this badly.
2. Other than Bobby Orr perhaps, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound centerman was the most physically gifted hockey player ever. Orr was four inches shorter and 30-something pounds lighter and a defenseman.
3. Le Magnifique could score any which way — equal strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot, empty net. Would you believe all in the same game?! (See Dec. 31, 1988.)
4. It was said that a dead person could score 20 goals on his line. Well, Robbie Brown was alive in the 1988-89 season, and Super Mario scored 85 goals with him.
Any questions?
Related:Greatest NHL Players of All Time