Gretzky: There's 'no doubt' Ovechkin will break goals record

Wayne Gretzky is ready to cede the all-time goal-scoring throne to Alex Ovechkin, saying it's only a matter of time until the ageless Washington Capitals superstar eclipses 894 career tallies.

"It’s not even a question that he will pass me, and I think it’s great," Gretzky told The New York Times' David Waldstein. "He’s well on his way to 40 or 50 goals this year, maybe more. There is no doubt that ultimately, he will break the record."

Ovechkin signed a five-year contract with the Capitals this offseason with Gretzky's once-unthinkable record in mind, and he's already made tremendous progress to kick off the 2021-22 campaign. The 36-year-old ranks second in the league with 22 goals in 31 games, putting him on pace for 58 tucks over a full season.

Gretzky has long supported Ovechkin's chase for goal-scoring immortality, saying it's great for the game.

"I'm his biggest fan," Gretzky said.

Ovi currently sits at 752 goals, good for fourth in NHL history behind only Jaromir Jagr (766), Gordie Howe (801), and Gretzky (894). He's already moved past Marcel Dionne and Brett Hull this campaign and has recently tied Dave Andreychuk for the all-time power-play goal record (274).