NHL's Next Goal King: 9 Players Who Could Surpass Ovechkin

8 min read Post on May 10, 2025

NHL's Next Goal King: 9 Players Who Could Surpass Ovechkin

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

McDavid's Exceptional Skill and Playmaking Ability

Connor McDavid possesses an unparalleled combination of speed, skill, and hockey IQ. His ability to weave through defenses and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates is legendary. His vision and passing skills are arguably as potent as his shot, making him a threat to score from anywhere on the ice. This complete offensive game forms the bedrock of his potential to become the next goal-scoring king.

Oilers' Offensive Powerhouse

McDavid benefits immensely from playing alongside a strong supporting cast in Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl, a prolific scorer in his own right, creates a dynamic duo that consistently overwhelms opposing defenses. Other talented players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane provide additional scoring threats, drawing attention away from McDavid and creating more opportunities for him to find the back of the net.

Goals per game (career average): Approximately 1.0
Assists per game (career average): Approximately 1.2
Comparison to Ovechkin's early career: McDavid's pace is comparable to, if not exceeding, Ovechkin's early career numbers.
Potential longevity: With his age and playing style, McDavid has the potential for a long and productive career.

Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)

Draisaitl's Consistent Scoring

Leon Draisaitl consistently ranks among the NHL's top scorers. His powerful shot, excellent vision, and ability to find open spaces make him a constant threat. His consistency is a key factor in his potential to challenge Ovechkin's record.

Synergistic Partnership with McDavid

Draisaitl’s success is amplified by his partnership with McDavid. Their on-ice chemistry allows them to create countless scoring chances, supplementing each other's strengths. While McDavid is often the primary playmaker, Draisaitl’s ability to finish is crucial to their combined success, potentially pushing him towards record-breaking numbers.

Goals per game (career average): Approximately 0.8
Points per game (career average): Over 1.3 demonstrating his overall offensive contributions.
Comparison to Ovechkin: While Draisaitl's goal totals may not match Ovechkin's peak years, his consistency and supportive team context suggest significant potential.
Potential challenges: Maintaining the high level of scoring alongside McDavid and aging gracefully are crucial for him to challenge the record.

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Matthews' Lethal Shooting Ability

Auston Matthews possesses a truly elite shot, renowned for its power and accuracy. His ability to score from seemingly impossible angles makes him a nightmare for opposing goaltenders. This exceptional shooting skill is the foundation of his goal-scoring prowess.

Maple Leafs' Offensive System

The Toronto Maple Leafs employ an offensive-minded system that provides Matthews with ample scoring chances. The team's skilled forwards and creative playmaking create a supportive environment conducive to maximizing his offensive potential.

Goals per game (career average): Approximately 0.7
Shooting percentage: Consistently high, indicating exceptional shot accuracy.
Career trajectory: Matthews has shown consistent improvement throughout his career, suggesting he's capable of even higher goal totals.
Team success impact: While individual talent is vital, the Maple Leafs' success will directly influence his overall scoring.

Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils)

Hughes' Emerging Scoring Prowess

Jack Hughes has shown rapid development, consistently improving his goal-scoring totals each season. His speed, agility, and puck-handling skills allow him to create scoring opportunities and make him a constant threat. His trajectory points towards him becoming one of the league's top goal scorers.

Devils' Up-and-Coming Team

The New Jersey Devils are a young and improving team, and Hughes’ development is intertwined with their growth. As the team matures, Hughes' scoring opportunities are expected to increase, significantly influencing his potential for a higher goal total.

Goals per game (career average): Currently rising steadily.
Comparison to other young stars: Hughes’ development compares favorably to other top young talents in the NHL.
Potential for improvement: His age and skillset suggest considerable room for growth and improvement in his scoring output.

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild)

Kaprizov's Dynamic Offensive Skills

Kirill Kaprizov possesses a wide range of offensive skills, not solely reliant on goals. His exceptional puck-handling, playmaking ability, and creativity make him a threat even without directly scoring goals. This multifaceted approach extends his offensive value and contributes to his team's overall scoring potential.

Wild's Supporting Cast

The Minnesota Wild have a solid supporting cast that complements Kaprizov's skills, helping him maintain his scoring opportunities. A strong offensive team will make it easier to rack up goals over the long haul.

Goals per game (career average): Around 0.6.
Playing style: His versatile play allows him to create opportunities, even if he doesn't directly score.
Potential for increased scoring: With consistent development and team support, Kaprizov has significant potential to increase his goal-scoring totals.

Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars)

Robertson's Consistent Goal Production

Jason Robertson has shown remarkable consistency in his goal production since entering the NHL. His accuracy and ability to find the back of the net are key components of his offensive success, making him a promising candidate for long-term consistent goal scoring.

Dallas' Offensive Structure

The Dallas Stars' offensive system is designed to create opportunities for their high-skilled forwards. This structured approach is conducive to Robertson's goal-scoring, maximizing his scoring potential.

Goals per game (career average): Approaching 0.7.
Comparison to similar players: Robertson's performance aligns with other successful young snipers in the league.
Potential challenges: Maintaining his consistency and adapting to changing team dynamics will be crucial for his long-term scoring success.

Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers)

Zibanejad's Power Play Proficiency

Mika Zibanejad is exceptionally skilled on the power play, converting many opportunities into goals. His shot power and placement are crucial for his success in this specialized situation. This consistency provides him with a reliable source of scoring.

Rangers' Offensive Depth

The New York Rangers boast a deep and talented offensive lineup, consistently creating scoring chances for their players. This team support provides Zibanejad with a constant stream of opportunities to improve his goal count.

Goals per game (career average): Around 0.5.
Age: While older than some other players on this list, his consistent scoring suggests he has several strong years left in his career.
Likelihood of surpassing Ovechkin: While challenging, Zibanejad's consistent power-play contributions offer a solid foundation for continued scoring.

Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Point's Playoff Success

While regular season scoring is crucial, Brayden Point's remarkable playoff performances showcase his ability to elevate his game under pressure. His playoff goal-scoring success highlights his competitive edge and mental strength in high-stakes situations.

Lightning's Championship Contender Status

Point plays for a perennial Stanley Cup contender. This sustained high level of team competition maintains a constant high-pressure environment conducive to pushing for higher scoring averages.

Goals per game (career average): Around 0.6.
Age: Point is relatively young, allowing for a long career with potential to build his goal count.
Sustainability: Maintaining his scoring output alongside other top players in Tampa Bay is key.

Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks/New York Rangers)

Kane's Scoring Legacy

Patrick Kane's career speaks for itself; he's a highly accomplished goal scorer with a proven track record. His skill and experience are unquestionable assets.

Challenges at this Stage of his Career

However, Kane's age and recent team changes present significant challenges to achieving a goal total that surpasses Ovechkin's. Maintaining the consistency required at this stage of his career will be incredibly difficult.

Stats: While his career stats are impressive, his current pace does not suggest the likelihood of reaching Ovechkin's total.
Age: Kane's age is a significant factor limiting his potential to significantly increase his goal count.
Team changes: Transitioning between teams can impact a player's overall performance and scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

Surpassing Alex Ovechkin's record is an immense challenge, requiring not only exceptional skill but also consistent high performance over a prolonged period. While several players on this list possess the talent and potential to become the NHL's Next Goal King, the difficulty of the task cannot be overstated. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, with their phenomenal talent and supportive team, seem to have the highest chance, but the likes of Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes and others present strong cases. Who do you think will be the next generation of goal scorers to challenge the record? Share your predictions and let's continue to witness the exciting careers of these exceptional players unfold!