In the game of hockey, goals are deemed as its currency and a very few players have transformed scoring into an art. Whether it was a historic journey back to Keegan’s era or an unconventional, awe-inducing shooting powerhouse, the NHL’s all-time Top Goal Scorers have demonstrated skill, consistency, athleticism and “this-goal-scorer-could-not-miss” power and accuracy through their efforts.
The top of the NHL’s all-time box-in goal list is of Alex Ovechkin, who is at 929 goals on the 2022-23 season. After Gretzky had held the record for 894 goals since 1999, the Washington Capitals captain broke his record in April 2025 with his 895th goal.
Prior to Ovechkin’s historic round, Wayne Gretzky was the set-standard. The Great One, as he was known, scored 894 goals in 1,487 regular-season games and had an astounding 2,857 points as a career. His score was not just made by being able to fire the puck; he was always finding opportunities, and he had a great hockey intelligence and vision.
Gretzky is followed by another legendary name, Gordie Howe: He scored 801 goals in his remarkable 40-year career in the NHL. Howe was a strong, tough man and excellent scorer and became known as “Mr. Hockey.”
Jaromir Jagr is tied for fourth with 766 goals, followed by Brett Hull with 741. They are considered Canada’s elite, along with Marcel Dionne, Phil Esposito, Mike Gartner, Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman.
These players are special because they are patient and not quitting which is uncommon. They did it with an entourage of fabulous seasons, as well as years of steadiness. Their narratives demonstrate the need for scoring in hockey, and how the best scorers carry it on long past the roar of the game.
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