With the 2021-22 regular season now over, we’ve taken a look at the all-time statistics to see which NHL records are close to being broken.
For simplicity, we’ve excluded the playoffs and focused on six of the most important metrics, to see who is chasing the all-time NHL stats leaders.
Games played
We will start by looking at player longevity, for which the record has recently been broken. Veteran forward Patrick Marleau has already eclipsed the all-time appearance record, surpassing the legendary Gordie Howe. The 42-year-old’s NHL career includes a run of 900 consecutive games.
Two other active players – Joe Thornton and Zdeno Chara – have broken into the all-time top 10 but are also in their forties and may not be able to catch Marleau.
Points scored
While there is no immediate danger of the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s career tally of 2,857 points being surpassed, the 42-year-old Thornton could break into the all-time top 10 if he decides to extend his NHL career. Otherwise, both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby – still in their mid-thirties – are best placed to do so as they are just over 100 points behind Thornton.
Goals scored
Gretzky’s record of 894 goals scored is under threat however, as Ovechkin is currently third on the all-time list and contracted to the Capitals until 2026. Given his scoring rate, this should give him ample time to set a new standard for the NHL.
Assists made
The Great One’s assist record of 1,963 is in no danger of being broken, though, with the ageing Thornton some way off the pace and the next nearest challengers already in their mid-thirties and less than halfway to matching Gretzky.
Shutouts
Turning our attention to the opposite end of the rink, goaltender Martin Brodeur’s record of 125 shutouts is likely to stand for some time. The three active players with the highest totals all appear to be approaching the end of their careers and aren’t yet even in the top 10, although Marc-Andre Fleury needs just six more to overtake Ed Belfour in 10th.
MVP awards
Gretzky has won the Hart Memorial Trophy on nine separate occasions: a record that is unlikely to be matched. Ovechkin’s three MVP awards make him the only active player with more than two and the most recent of these was back in 2013. However, 25-year-old Connor McDavid was named MVP for a second time in 2021 and should have ample opportunities to move further up the all-time NHL stats leaders list.
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