Will somebody break gretzky's points records ever?

Answer 1

The season before Jagr left Pittsburgh, every one was talking about possibly Jagr having a shot. He was in his late 20's and had racked up lot of points. There is a slim shot, that he might have a shot at the goals scored record, but it's almost slim to none.

As to Crosby, two full seasons with over 100 points. He is still a kid. Until he post consecutive seasons of over 160 points, I wouldn't make much of it. If he does reach the 200 point mark in a season, then also, I would become a believer. Crosby will be good.(already is) If he is going to break Gretzky's record, he is going to have to be really, really, really good and healthy for a long time.

Answer 2

Records are meant to be broken, just look at Bonds chasing Aaron right now for proof of that. Borg's 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles? Federer equalled the mark less than 30 years later.

However, I doubt many of Gretzky's records will be eclipsed in our lifetime (or at least not for 1-2 more generations). I mean 92 goals? Come on, that's just stupid production. Did you know that in the year Gretzky posted 215 points, he had notched 100 after only 34 games?

Those will be the tough ones to break along with 50 goals in 39 and 51 consecutive games with a point. The career points mark is the toughest because of the combination of skill and longevity required. Someone would have to post an average of 191 points for 15 seasons or 143 points for 20 to reach Gretzky.

The guy who manages to surpass these benchmarks of greatness will be a special player for sure.

Answer 3

No. I don't think so. If it were to happen some conditions will have to be met:

- rules will have to change (larger nets, smaller goal equipt etc)
- no checking allowed in hockey
- smaller pucks hehehe

Seriously though, as good as Mario, Jeromy, and Sideny are, they aren't in the same league as far as points production is concerned.

Dont' forget, the Oilers were able to win the cup without Gretzky ... so many of Oiler's oppoenents in the 80's had to contend not only with Gretzky, but also with Hall of Famers like Messier, Anderson, Kurri, Coffey, etc etc.

Once defenses are spread thin trying to defend so many skilled players ... well the records speak for themselves.

So ... my point is this, even if someone tomorrow is as good as Gretzky, if they don't end up on a star studded team like the 80's Oilers, he will have difficulty getting the same numbers as Gretzky.

Final thought:
- I don't think there will be another Gretzky, and even if there is, what are the odds that he will be playing on a great team like the 80's Oilers.

Answer 4

I also think that the salary caps will hurt Crosby's chances. For instance, say for instance 3 or 4 of the young pens become super-stars in the NHL. Those guys which help pad Crosby's stats will be gone within 2 years. Gretzky had Messier, Anderson, Tinkadin, Fuhr, Coffee for a long time and it's not possible to keep that crew together in the present NHL.

Answer 5

I still don't believe that anyone has a chance of breaking his record. The game Gretzky played compared to the game being played to day is completely different, and I feel that will affect anyone trying to break his record. If anyone has a slight chance, maybe Sidney Crosby. But I wouldn't guarantee it. But you never know, some amazing player could enter the NHL within the next few years and break every record Gretzky ever set.

Answer 6

I don't think those records can be broken without tinkering with the rules again. I'd just be satisfied if these bozos who don't think anything counts if it happened before they were old enough to watch would just admit that Gretzky is only the third-best player ever. Number 2 is Bobby Orr, who would be number one if injuries hadn't limited him to what amounted to 8 full seasons. Number 1 is Gordie Howe, who, unlike Gretzky, was a great defensive player, or any kind of defensive player, and didn't need a thug like Mark Messier or Marty McSorley to do his fighting for him.

Answer 7

Let's say a Crosby like player comes along and does not get hurt.

18 to 40 years of age. 22/23 years.

2857 divided by even 23 is 124. Crosby led the league with 120. Assuming his career year is not as a 19 year old. That is in the realm of possibility just not likely. More importantly the rules can change, see the evolution baseball baseball took in the 90's.

And err, the goal has yet to ever change size. Not only have the pads gotten bigger, the butterfly stops a lot of cheap goals, players on average play better defense and goalies no longer are the ones who didn't learn to skate at age 12.

Answer 8

Someone could certainly break them but it is going to be tough. Zap covered most of the points wanted to make, I would just like to add one more. In today's NHL, an organization might not have been able to afford the roster the Oilers had in Gretzky's prime. Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Anderson and Coffey would have all demanded top dollar. The current Penguins don't have that type of talent and already have concerns about how they will be able to handle that in the not too distant future.

Answer 9

Not with the current rules and style of play. In the 80s when he came into the league it was a much more offensive game. He had over 200 pts in a season. Crosby had what around 100 pts and won the scoring title?

I'm sure it will change back to an offensive game at some point but will it ever be like that again?

Answer 10

Probably, but they still wont be as good as Gretzky. Im guessing the NHL is going to continue making goals larger, goalie pads smaller and so on until every game ends with average scores of 5-6. I wont be happy about, but I think thats the direction that we're heading to.