Gretzky: Ovechkin has 'legitimate chance' to break goals record

Wayne Gretzky said he believes Alex Ovechkin has "a real legitimate chance" to skate past him for the NHL record in goals. What's more, "The Great One" said he wants a front-row seat to watch "The Great Eight" should it happen.

While Ovechkin (692 goals) still has a ways to go to catch Gretzky (894), the latter told NHL.com on Friday that he has no issues with his goal-scoring record being broken. "I'm a big believer that records are made to be broken," Gretzky said. "What I accomplished, I'm very proud of. It's hard to do what I did, and it's really hard to do what he's doing now. But there's no question in my mind that he has a real legitimate chance of doing it. The two things that you need; you've got to stay healthy, and he's proven that over his career. He plays hard and he stays healthy. And, secondly, you've got to be on a good team -- and he plays on a good team.

"For my success, I had to play with good players. He plays with good players, and that obviously helps." Ovechkin, 34, has shown no signs of slowing down this season, as the Washington Capitals captain has recorded a hat trick in each of his last two games to boost his goal total to a team-best 34 on the season.

The three-time Hart Trophy recipient resides ninth all-time in goals scored, although he is just two shy of tying Hall of Famer Mark Messier for eighth place. --Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)