Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include Alex Ovechkin’s chase to 895 goals, the potential viability of Edmonton moving Jack Campbell, and more. If your question doesn’t appear here, check back in our mailbag from over the weekend. We’ll also run one this weekend from the most recent callout for questions.
rule78.1: Based on what you have seen this year, does Ovechkin ever pass Gretzky?
As we sit here today, Ovechkin is at 828 goals, 66 behind Wayne Gretzky; he obviously needs 67 to pass him. This year has been ugly for Ovechkin and Washington’s offense although they’re holding onto a Wild Card spot, albeit ever so slightly.
I can’t see Ovechkin’s scoring struggles carrying on for the entire season. He’s at six in 31 games, a 16-goal pace. I think he at least hits 20 by the time the year ends. Let’s pick a completely random number and say he winds up at 23 and that the Caps find their scoring touch to an extent. Now the gap is 49 to tie, 50 to beat him.
Ovechkin has two years left on his contract. Could he average 25 goals per year in that stretch? I wouldn’t put it past him even if it looks like he’s slowing down.
But let’s say he comes up a bit short following the 2025-26 campaign. If he’s within, say, 10 goals of Gretzky at that point, I have to think Ovechkin is going to want to give it one more go to try to get the record. I’m sure Washington would be more than happy to bring him back for that attempt, even though he’d be 41; the marketing alone could make it worthwhile if he gets there. If not them, there would be other teams who certainly would be willing to give him that shot.
I know Ovechkin has struggled this season but I still think he’ll get the goal record eventually.
SkidRowe: Could the Bruins acquire Elias Lindholm in exchange for Hampus Lindholm and a Lindholm to be named later?
It’s too bad that Par Lindholm is no longer on Boston’s reserve list, we could have thrown him in there for good measure.
Calgary’s Lindholm is a fantastic fit for the Bruins. There’s no doubt about that. He’d help fill the role that Patrice Bergeron filled for many years which would fill arguably the biggest hole in their lineup right now.
The problem is that this probably isn’t the type of move the Flames should be looking to make. This is a treading water type of trade and would probably need to be made in conjunction with them moving Noah Hanifin for a young center. If they…
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