Bold take made by PK Subban on who he thinks will beat Alex Ovechkin's record
Alexander Ovechkin's historic 895th career goal on Sunday night not only put his name at the top of the NHL's all-time scoring list but also sparked another question.
And this question is: Will anyone ever break this record?
According to former NHL star and current TNT analyst P.K. Subban, there might be one player who can and he's still in his prime.
Speaking on ESPN's SportsCenter, PK Subban named Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews as a legitimate threat to chase the Alex Ovechkin's mark.
«Well, Ovi's career percentage is 0.6 goals a game. Auston Matthews' right now is at 0.64,» Subban said. «Which means, even though in a short time in his career, he is on pace right now to potentially break this record.
"You look at the comparisons between these two - they're both big, they're both strong, but Auston Matthews is a different player than Alex Ovechkin. He's not as physical even though he's a big guy.
He's plays a game within the open ice, and at the beginning of his career, even though he's a big guy, he can challenge guys one-on-one, he can go through the triangle, he can play in the open ice and he can also play in tight areas and tight games. ... I think he's going to have a real shot at [the record]."
"You look at the comparisons between these two - they're both big, they're both strong, but Auston Matthews is a different player than Alex Ovechkin. He's not as physical even though he's a big guy.
He's plays a game within the open ice, and at the beginning of his career, even though he's a big guy, he can challenge guys one-on-one, he can go through the triangle, he can play in the open ice and he can also play in tight areas and tight games. ... I think he's going to have a real shot at [the record]."
During his first 623 games, Auston Matthews has scored 398 goals which is seven more than Ovechkin had at that point in his career.
Subban pointed to Auston Matthews' unique skillset in his size, strength and elite shooting while saying the difference in playing style between the two snipers
But maintaining that pace over the long haul will be the true test and Auston Matthews would need roughly 778 more games at his current 0.64 goals-per-game clip to reach 896.
Durability will be key which is something Matthews has struggled with at times by having completed a full 82-game season only once.
Still, Matthews deflected the conversation when asked about the possibility.
«That's such a long way away,» Matthews said. «I don't think I should even be in that conversation. Rightfully so, it should be on Ovi and what he has been able to accomplish.»
Even Wayne Gretzky, the former record-holder had the same sentiment.
«They say records are made to be broken,» Gretzky said on Sunday, «but I'm not sure who is going to get more goals than that.»
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 34 ANSWERS Bold take made by PK Subban on who he thinks will beat Alex Ovechkin's record Do you think Auston Matthews can beat Alex Ovechkin's new mark someday? | ||
| Yes | 4 | 11.8 % |
| No | 30 | 88.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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