It's probably consistent because he always has the largest sample size every year.

That goal he scored last night was ridiculous. Looked like he was just sweeping the puck on net and he fires it past Price. There isn't a player on earth who scores a goal like that other than him.
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah the sample size is what keeps the variance to a minimum, I just find it interesting. He has had a bad year where he shot under 9%, but no amazingly good year besides the two years at 14.5%

Assuming he gets his 38 this year, he would need 313 more goals to get to 895. If he plays till 40, he'd have to average almost 35 goals per season. I don't know if that's realistic unless he has a few more 50+ seasons soon.
- jmatchett383

If he gets close one could argue that it's more impressive given the difference in eras.

This also serves to illustrate how astronomical Gretzky's numbers are compared to everyone else. It is truly mindboggling.
- MBFlyerfan

Then realize that, in addition to his goals, he also has more assists than any other players had total points.

Yes, he played in the 80s when goalies/defense weren't as good, but he also used a single piece wooden stick with relatively no curve, gloves that limited his ability to handle/shoot the puck, fewer obstruction penalties called, and most of all, the red line.

If he gets close one could argue that it's more impressive given the difference in eras.
- Scoob

See my post right below yours.

If he gets close one could argue that it's more impressive given the difference in eras.
- Scoob

He probably is the greatest goal scorer of all time

Then realize that, in addition to his goals, he also has more assists than any other players had total points.

Yes, he played in the 80s when goalies/defense weren't as good, but he also used a single piece wooden stick with relatively no curve, gloves that limited his ability to handle/shoot the puck, fewer obstruction penalties called, and most of all, the red line.
- jmatchett383

But he had a tissue paper helmet which was a distinct weight advantage over other players.

Then realize that, in addition to his goals, he also has more assists than any other players had total points.

Yes, he played in the 80s when goalies/defense weren't as good, but he also used a single piece wooden stick with relatively no curve, gloves that limited his ability to handle/shoot the puck, fewer obstruction penalties called, and most of all, the red line.
- jmatchett383

The bold is the most ridiculous record in sports, imho.

See my post right below yours.
- jmatchett383

Yep. Comparing across distinctly different eras is pretty much a futile effort.

But he had a tissue paper helmet which was a distinct weight advantage over other players.
- Scoob

He probably is the greatest goal scorer of all time
- YuenglingJagr

If he could have stayed healthy, I think Bossy would have been the best, or possibly Bure. He's in the conversation, though.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

If he could have stayed healthy, I think Bossy would have been the best, or possibly Bure. He's in the conversation, though.
- jmatchett383

I said probably so I couldn't be wrong

Then realize that, in addition to his goals, he also has more assists than any other players had total points.

Yes, he played in the 80s when goalies/defense weren't as good, but he also used a single piece wooden stick with relatively no curve, gloves that limited his ability to handle/shoot the puck, fewer obstruction penalties called, and most of all, the red line.
- jmatchett383

And even for the era of so called "high scoring" totals he was head and shoulders above everyone else.


But otherwise yes, it definitely was a different style and era.

I said probably so I couldn't be wrong
- YuenglingJagr

It's amazing how wrong you are, actually. Once you stop using the raw words and put some proper context into them, you realize that you're hand-picking words to fit your argument. I'm just here to talk about the unbiased facts.

It's amazing how wrong you are, actually. Once you stop using the raw words and put some proper context into them, you realize that you're hand-picking words to fit your argument. I'm just here to talk about the unbiased facts.
- jmatchett383

You're missing my point

And even for the era of so called "high scoring" totals he was head and shoulders above everyone else even in his own era.


But otherwise yes, it definitely was a different style and era.
- MBFlyerfan

I did a study years back when we did a % of league-wide scoring for each player, normalized for 30-team league for Gretzky, to try to account for the eras. Interestingly, Gretzky was like 0.92% and OV was like 0.91%, something where they were almost dead even. But again, you add Gretzky's assists and it doesn't matter.

The only fly in the ointment might be Ovi, himself. He may not want to play that long.
- johndewar

If he continues to go cupless me may want to keep playing. the caps playoff lack of success will always tarnish him right or wrong. wow I can't believe he is 31 already. How time passes

3-0 Flyers

Meat Read hatty

You're missing my point
- YuenglingJagr

No, I totally get your point, and it's full of hyperbole, half truths, and red herrings. Once you're ready to have an serious intelligent discussion on the matter, we can continue this until you've realized that I'm right.

3-0 Flyers

Meat Read hatty
- Mordecai

Red Meat?

Question of the day, 99 was great, but was he elite?

Then realize that, in addition to his goals, he also has more assists than any other players had total points.

Yes, he played in the 80s when goalies/defense weren't as good, but he also used a single piece wooden stick with relatively no curve, gloves that limited his ability to handle/shoot the puck, fewer obstruction penalties called, and most of all, the red line.
- jmatchett383

Perspective - 1983-84 season

Vezina Trophy: Pelle Lindbergh (40-17-7, 3.02 GAA .899 save %)

Points
1. Wayne Gretzky* • EDM 208
2. Jari Kurri* • EDM 135
3. Dale Hawerchuk* • WIN 130
4. Marcel Dionne* • LAK 126
5. Paul Coffey* • EDM 121
6. Mike Bossy* • NYI 117
7. Denis Savard* • CBH 105
John Ogrodnick • DET 105
9. Bernie Federko* • STL 103
10. Brent Sutter • NYI 102
Mike Gartner* • WSH 102
12. Paul MacLean • WIN 101
13. John Tonelli • NYI 100
Mario Lemieux* • PIT 100
Bernie Nicholls • LAK 100
Peter Stastny* • QUE 100
17. Kent Nilsson • CGY 99
18. Tim Kerr • PHI 98
19. Brian Propp • PHI 97
20. Bob Carpenter • WSH 95
Michel Goulet* • QUE 95

Perspective - 1983-84 season

Vezina Trophy: Pelle Lindbergh (40-17-7, 3.02 GAA .899 save %)
- nastyflyergirl

Perspective - HHOF Grant Fuhr (career 3.38 GAA, .887 save %)

Assuming he gets his 38 this year, he would need 313 more goals to get to 895. If he plays till 40, he'd have to average almost 35 goals per season. I don't know if that's realistic unless he has a few more 50+ seasons soon.
- jmatchett383

I wonder how many more goals Ovi would have scored had he played in the era that Gretzky did where the game was much more open.

He had a 50 50 season in 2005-2006 when the game was as wide open as it has been in at least two decades and I can only imagine what his numbers would have looked like by now had the game continued to be wide open like that one season.

anyone know how the alumni game this Saturday night will be played?
Full 60 min game with intermissions? Running clock? any thoughts?