How Good Was PRIME Alexander Ovechkin Actually?

#nhl #ovechkin #hockey
He’s an NHL MVP, a nine-time 'Rocket' Richard Trophy winner, a Stanley Cup champion, and currently sits just 67 goals away from Gretzky's scoring record. Many argue he is the greatest pure goal-scorer the game has ever seen. So, how good was Prime Alexander Ovechkin, actually?
Ovi’s road to NHL fame began in the city of Moscow, Russia, far from the NHL's glimmering arenas. Born on September 17, 1985, Ovechkin was destined for sports greatness. His mother, a celebrated two-time Olympic gold medalist in basketball, and his father, a professional soccer player, laid the groundwork for a legacy in sports. Ovechkin was, quite simply, born to be an athlete.

[@TheJaguarGod]

Alex Ovechkin was one of the best players in his prime. He could hit like a monster truck, he had an elite shot and release, he had the speed, and he had the passing abilities. We will never see another player that complete.

[@TheHockeyVault]

Redefined being a forward

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

really good, the best overall in his prime was Jaromir Jagr, better at talent stuff than Mark Messier, just not as much a leader. And MORE robust by a lot than Wayne Gretzky. To me Jagr stands as the ultimate modern player. Nobody compares to me

[@owenposer6720]

Um didn’t he play in the same era as Sidney Crosby? Who is arguably one of if not the best all around player?

[@noahbrown6961]

I feel like the closest thing we have to prime Ovi is Mackinnon. Both run people over like freight trains

[@TheJaguarGod]

Mackinnon doesnt hit as much as ovechkin. Ovechkin hits a lot@@noahbrown6961

[@HockeyTruther]

Prime ovechkin was the most offensively threatening player ever on the ice. He was never the most complete player in the league but definitely the best pure goal scorer we’ve ever seen

[@TheJaguarGod]

NO i am better than oven cicken

[@kenw2225]

Some people thought Crosby was better, but he couldn't play cause he had a headache. My girl whines about headaches too

[@glenmcreynolds1818]

its not a left wingers job to the most "complete".

[@RunForPeace-hk1cu]

What do you think a winger should do? 😂😂😂 He has just been doing his job

[@glenmcreynolds1818]

@@RunForPeace-hk1cu exactly! People who compare him to all NHL centers like Crosby are idiots. They play completely different positions.

[@C4PSOW]

As a caps fan I have no clue what I’ll do once he leaves

[@brendan9868]

It’ll never be the same again, but honestly our prospect pool is looking promising with Miroshenchenko, Leonard and Chesley, same goes for our younger guys on the roster already like McMichael, Lapierre and Sandin. It’s looking like the eventual rebuild isn’t going to be as brutal as I imagined it a few years back, but we’ll have to wait and see lol

[@melissalach7931]

Same

[@jacoballen4189]

We’re going to cry for a week straight

[@dennismakarov93]

Cry lol

[@TheDCGuitar13]

He was so good at scoring that people forget he was an elite passer for a good chunk of his career. He did it all. He destroyed defenders, he deked, the one timers, the shots between defenders legs. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. He made people believe a mediocre capitals team was a contender for so many years. The fact that he still was racking up 40 goal seasons as recent as last season is absurd to me. Guys who hit like him don’t last long. Yet here he is. Ovie the great 8 is one of one.

[@ethanparker7900]

tell me about it all those people who say he is selfish and doesn't pass couldn't be more wrong and they just say stuff out of pure stupidity and ignorance

[@TheDCGuitar13]

@@ethanparker7900 that pass to kuz for the win vs the penguins will live in my heart forever

[@ethanparker7900]

@@TheDCGuitar13 yessirr that is a perfect example of what an underrated passer he is

[@trevmac8362]

I don't forget nothing I'm a Stanford Grad (IQ 151) whose field of expertise is stattiscal forensics. Ovi is a horrendous +44 in 19 seasons as an NHL player (Context Gretzky is +520 one on one) 73% of Ovi's[points came on the power He was a 5 on 5 even strength disaster Hey DCGUITAR care to take me on?? I'm waiting for you *WAITS*

[@trevmac8362]

I'm Waiting Tough Guy

[@PuckProfiles]

Man, its actually crazy that someone is coming close to beating Gretzky's scoring record in the NHL.

[@tylerfish6206]

You think it will happen? I personally don’t

[@TheHockeyVault]

With the way he's slowed down, most likely not. But still cool that it's a possibility

[@ljummingen]

He’s beating it

[@TheHockeyVault]

@@ljummingen Would be amazing to see!

[@gilly7038]

@@TheHockeyVaultyou guys do realize he will not retire until he beats it right

[@theroseexperience]

If prime Ovechkin was playing in the last 4 years of hockey he'd have 70 goals a year and flirting with 120 points every single season easily. He'd be demolishing the NHL ever more than he did in the mid 2000's. Ovechkin has lost 1.5 seasons to lockout and almost another entirely to COVID, he'd be flirting with 1000 goals all things considered, he's already firmly placed as the GOAT goal scorer

[@michaelshields6326]

I think he would hit 130-140 points at least once. He had 109 in 72 games (122 point pace) in 09/10 when scoring was much lower. That's a 60+ goal, 135 point season in today's scoring environment.

[@pepsigodd4209]

The Calder is one of the most important Trophy to win, because you only have 1 chance to win it

[@TheHockeyVault]

That is some true facts

[@dox8148]

While I agree, your rookie season won’t define your legacy

[@surudog4929]

Ovi is the GOAT. He is something. His last 15 years has been just magical, pure determination, skill and domination. Go Ovi and get to the 900 goals.

[@dominikprazak609]

Sid>

[@kenw2225]

Oh, no I can't guys, I got a headache , sid?? LOL he was the 4 best player on his own team. That is when he didn't sit out with headaches

[@dominikprazak609]

@@kenw2225 u mean a concussion? Lmao, that ain't a headache. And he was by far the best player on his team and in the league😂. Try again

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Gretzky has more assists than any other player in the NHL has points and you say OVI is the GOAT? 😂Not to mention Gretzky was defensively responsible ~ He's a + 544 all-time in 5 on 5 situations. Ovi is +44 - you figure out the math

[@surudog4929]

@@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by goalies in Gretzky’s era were amateurs. Today’s goalies are 10x better than the ones Gretzky went against. If Ovi was playing in the 80s, he would have scored 2000 goals.

[@Mayor_Of_Eureka17]

3 months later, Ovi has blown the league back up baby!! Still the best in the league.

[@user-oi1tu5cu1w]

Ovechkin lost 2 years due to the lockout and another season of the Covid pandemic. If not for this, he would have already broken Gretzky's record.

[@scoshux]

When it came to fantasy hockey, prime ovi will be remembered

[@ethanparker7900]

Ovi plays with a his heart on his sleeve. Can score, pass, hit, make players around him better, welcome new teammates with open arms and helps a lot in his community off the ice. Guy has won literally everything anyone would kill to have him on their team. His main generational rivals Crosby and Stamkos too. Their generation will live out for decades to come and we'll never see a trio like this again once they all call it quits.

[@tylerlawer8750]

When did Stamkos get brought into this. It’s Malkin as the third.

[@ethanparker7900]

well he basically is ovechkin 2.0 with his style of play and malkin is only comapred cause they're both russian. I am not talking nationality I am talking about talent and style of play@@tylerlawer8750

[@jeremy9717]

@@tylerlawer8750yeah I felt like malkin has always had a rivalry as well

[@jacoballen4189]

No mention of Patty Kane I see

[@ethanparker7900]

he doesn't have a firece rivalry with ovi like those guys do. But yes he certainly is up there too when talking ab generational greats @@jacoballen4189

[@duaneday5474]

Hoisting the cup transformed him into Gandalf the Grey 😂

[@hueywarren4778]

The celebration after aged him a decade, he set the bar for cup cellys now

[@KaleFGB]

Best player I’ve seen since Mario at the time. Now McDavid is that

[@gulpp5052]

Prime Ovi might just be the best player ever. so glad i got to grow up with him as a face of my favourite sport. a true sports legend and GOAT

[@jonathandurand8640]

that saucer pass from nicklas between 3 vegas leading in a 1timer goal to me was a crazy pass prob ma favorite ever

[@TheHockeyVault]

Was sick!

[@templetonbob]

Those first 4ish years in the league he was absolutely phenomenal.

[@TheHockeyVault]

Insane

[@theroseexperience]

It was a lot longer than that, he's a 3 time MVP and the most decorated individual player of his era by a lot.

[@michaelshields6326]

​@@theroseexperienceHe was never the same player after 09/10. His first 5 years he was not only the best goal scorer but also the best all around offensive player, capable of winning the Rocket Richard and the Art Ross. He was more one dimensional after that point. His game went from Bobby Hull to Brett Hull.

[@thegoughandbordenfamily8234]

@@michaelshields6326 Brett Hull being one of the greatest to ever lace em up. Ovi had those first fantastic 4 years with Green and Semin who were actual stars. Once they left Ovi had do to everything on his own with a bunch of secondary players.

[@michaelshields6326]

@@thegoughandbordenfamily8234 His fall off started long before they left.

[@Whatdoyouwant904]

Imo if Ovi played against the goalies of the 70’s and 80’s he’d have 1000 goals.

[@TheHockeyVault]

For sure, but deffs a different game back then

[@Whatdoyouwant904]

@@TheHockeyVault yeah no disrespect to the legends of that time, just a thought I’ve had

[@TheHockeyVault]

@@Whatdoyouwant904 I think like that too. With all the modern training techniques and things learned, the average player is better than ever. Imagine Crosby, Ovechkin, and Matthews in the 90's. The goal-scoring would be insane!

[@rolieg81]

But dont' forget, there is no Ovie without Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny......

[@brdy85]

Could he shoot with those skates, those gloves, those sticks? Thats the question , yes weaker Goalies but also weaker weapons.

[@roberthicks2909]

Great video! Amazing detail, particularly where speaking about ovi's intimidation fa tor while showing a highlight where the dman backed off and let ovi score so he didnt get railed

[@lacedjunglejuice]

Im just gonna say, I’m a leafs fan been my whole life, but my all time favourite player of all time is Alexander Ovechkin. The best modern day goal scorer of all time.

[@jungkotlx8805]

Video for Iginla please :')

[@jungkotlx8805]

+1 sub. Great content

[@ernie8401]

ovi, Sid, Geno and Kane were unstoppable!!

[@nightrain9288]

In his prime he was the best player I've ever seen.

[@whereschavo3953]

he is the greatest goal scorer the game has ever seen, anyone who doubts that is just being disingenuous.

[@sunesnigel]

No mentioning of Bäckström assisting 279 of his 826 goals???

[@pokejuice1495]

What makes him so damn good is that he is so damn good.

[@ThiccGungan]

Imagine if his first year was there. He’d already have crushed the record

[@josephhopkins2851]

Best 2 way forward in NHL history. It's not even close.

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Sober Up dude. In 5 on 5 situations Ovi is a pathetic + 44 after all those years. For context Gretzky is an incredible +520

[@WilliamTheDestroyer.]

Great vid! Do Lemieux #66.

[@TheHockeyVault]

I'll put it on the list!

[@WilliamTheDestroyer.]

@@TheHockeyVault When you get to it, do the math on his points per season if he had played all 80 - 82 games. It is extraordinary and proof that he was the all time greatest player ever. 1000+ goals and 2000+ assists. and wait till you see his Laval points in 200 games.

[@ExplorationRandomDestination]

If overcoming was in his prime this season I think he would have more goals than Mathew’s atm.

[@rolieg81]

Gotta be top 10 alltime for me.

[@TheHockeyVault]

No Doubt

[@len6482]

Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, Crosby, Ovi...

[@user-yi9hz3or2t]

Ovi was the best player in the league the seasons he scored 56 and 65

[@enchanted2k797]

🐐🐐🐐

[@trav7917]

He's pretty tight for sure

[@TheHockeyVault]

Very tight

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

really good, the best overall in his prime was Jaromir Jagr, better at talent stuff than Mark Messier, just not as much a leader. And MORE robust by a lot than Wayne Gretzky. To me Jagr stands as the ultimate modern player. Nobody compares to me if JAGR had not lost 4 years during his career ( 2-3 to lockouts) and 2 to the KHL i think, he would be to others the GOAT, like he is to my heart

[@TheHockeyVault]

It's crazy how many different eras Jagr has played through ahaha

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

@@TheHockeyVault like Messier and Henri Richard... only Gordie Howe is cleanly ahead

[@user-oi1tu5cu1w]

I really love Jaromir as a person and an athlete, but Ovechkin also lost 2 years due to the lockout and another season of the Covid pandemic. If not for this, he would have already broken Gretzky's record. Despite this record, their talent is equally priceless to me. Greetings from Russia.

[@recoveryfishing364]

Best player in the league. I despised this man.

[@TheHockeyVault]

We all did, every time he played our favourite teams 😂

[@michaelshields6326]

These videos don't even answer the question they ask. They're more like career recaps.

[@orxanomerli7]

I mean usually videos with this title are related to sportsmen who were good two three seasons and then declined 😄 if you talk about Alex, you can’t ask it like that. Haha prime Ovi should be maybe top 10

[@T-Alex81]

2:13 didn't you see it's a football(soccer) club?

[@ryelystomp2354]

i watched about 5 seconds and heard joe b sound like hamster so i paused now i am commented and leaving cheers =)

[@maximefraisier1010]

Ovy is the greatest hockey player in the last 20 years, no a single doubt in my mind. Would have give anything to have this kind of player on my team (habs).

[@TheHockeyVault]

Really changed the forward position with his insane offensive capabilities and physicality. So glad he was able to win a cup and prove all the doubters wrong

[@dominikprazak609]

Crosby clears

[@enchanted2k797]

Best non Canadian of all time

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Not even close to Nicklas Lidström

[@ethanparker7900]

Should do a video of stamkos soon!! Basically is Ovechkin 2.0

[@CamaroHotwheelsDieCast]

No he isn't! Not even close

[@ethanparker7900]

What are you an idiot? Like ovi, he's well known for his lethal shot especially the one timer at the left circle, has a 60 goal season which was in such a low scoring era and has a career average of 40 ish goals a year while ovi ofc had a 65 goal season and has a career average of 50 or so goals. Even with injuries at times, he still had the second most goals in the 2010s decade with ovechkin ofc being the only player with more goals than him. @@CamaroHotwheelsDieCast

[@paulschmitz9175]

Get back to me when Stamkos has 800 career goals.

[@ethanparker7900]

@@paulschmitz9175 exactly 2 weeks and no follow up to your bullshit of a take

[@paulschmitz9175]

@@ethanparker7900 Get back to me when Stamkos has 800 goals.

[@user-fr8vk1ki7y]

Greatest EVER

[@neres5795]

Nah

[@user-fr8vk1ki7y]

@@neres5795 yeah bruh

[@user-fr8vk1ki7y]

@@neres5795 yes today's players would crap on Wayne

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Lame casual

[@devongiguere3721]

Do Jaromir Jagr!

[@TheHockeyVault]

I'll put it on the list!

[@ethanparker7900]

can u do stamkos or Datsyuk?@@TheHockeyVault

[@RodCalidge]

Your title should be " How good IS Alex Ovechkin?" The "old" guy has only scored 120+ goals in the last 3 seasons.

[@v4v819]

When he was in his prime?! He's just getting better and better with age! Forget this off season everyone has it. This guy is a beast and got a nose for the net that never goes away... Mark my words he will have a huge comeback season next year and i predict he got one more 60+ goal season in him!!!!!

[@brendan9868]

He’s definitely gonna have a bounce back next year, he’s already picking it up again this season. Whole team’s having a rough year, first time in a while they don’t even have a player hovering around a point per game. Have a feeling it’s got to do with the growing pains of bringing in a new coach and the youngest in the league at that.

[@Dylis]

LMAO, I'll be back for this one, no way this guy hits 60 in the next 2 seasons, mark my words!

[@rafaelpimental4722]

Do a Cale makar and Quinn Hughes video they’re gonna be trading Norris trophy’s for years to come

[@tylerbuckle4368]

So true! I am so happy to be a Canucks fan and watch Quinn continue to develop as a player and now even more so as a leader.

[@fredrikjohansson2793]

Dahlin and Adam Fox is up there with them.

[@glennmayer469]

"dina-mo"

[@georgemichaels3rdnut]

Good as fuck

[@adihasla801]

in a pickle here. ovie arguably is the best #8... but as a Finn... selänne #8... damn....

[@ThenorinSSBM]

Is this ai generated? Bro used the wrong words and weird as hell grammar so many times in this

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

There is one statistical forensic that is a major blemish on OVI's career and that is he's only +44 in 5 on 5 situations in his entire career. For context Sid is + 219 and for real context Gretzky was a phenomenal +520.

[@ilyamuromec3072]

some meaningless indicator

[@ilyamuromec3072]

statistics on hits are more revealing. Ovechkin - 3633, Crosby - 1114. I couldn’t find a stat on Gretzky (maybe 0)

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Nice try. Champ. Why not just say you are the biggest casual around. 85% of the game is played 5 on 5. In 1424 games has an astonishing 38% of OVI's goals come on the power play / Crosby is under 30% . And by suggesting a *HIT* is more important than a 5 on 5 even strength goal it makes you look preposterous. As for Gretzky he has more assists in his career than anyone else has total points. Let that sink in. And OVI isn't in the same league as Crosby for being an all around player. Crosby has over 1000 assists in 200 less games / OVI under 700. Crosby is an incredible faceoff man / Ovi doesn't even take faceoffs. Crosby is 2nd all time in winning faceoffs and his efficiency is 58.3% *#1 in the NHL* meaning his team gains advantage of the puck immediately. Go tell an expert on hockey that a hit is more important than an even strength goal and you would be laughed out of the place.

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Crosby is also an above point a game in the playoffs / OVI below a point a game Crosby scored the game winning goal in OT in the Olympics giving Canada the GOLD MEDAL . He's light years ahead of OVI for being clutch in big games.

[@reallifelebowski4732]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Hey dude in no one's world is a hit more important than an five on five goal. By saying being over +200 or in #99's case over +500 is a meaningless indicator it makes you look plain dumb. By being a plus player in 5 on 5 situations tells you the player is technically sound and proficient in normal game time situations. And Ovechkin is a winger who's around the boards all the time so of course his hit total is higher. Both Crosby and Gretzky play the middle of the ice where there is far less contact.

[@jeremymcfall5708]

Hey guys I think Ovechin can still break the record he’s on pace to break it in 7 more years at 45 years old and 26 seasons in the NHL.

[@GreekboyyD]

😂🤡

[@grahamstuart9164]

He was so good that he was only 1000 points behind Wayne Gretzky

[@neres5795]

Gretzky is a God

[@len6482]

much different era's. Ovi is a Top 5 player of all-time.

[@grahamstuart9164]

@@len6482 Yes. On the list that everybody else is on. Gritzky has his own list and he's the only one on it.

[@len6482]

Lemieux is on that list@@grahamstuart9164

[@hiddinkydink4463]

Ovi and Crosby in the 80s would have as many as 99 but can’t compare eras . Goalies and defence were hot trash then compared to now 😊

[@reallypantik6283]

dude is just standing there and slapping 80% of his goals. Idk, to me Crosby is like 2x player. And even Malkin is better. still he is one of the goats

[@michaelshields6326]

Prime OV did way more than just shoot from the circles. He was a monster all over the ice.

[@nedlead85]

He's a washed up bum!