Wayne Gretzky's 894 career goals remain the NHL's most storied record, but Alex Ovechkin has shattered the convention that no one would ever get close — entering the 2025–26 season just 42 goals behind.
Quick answer: 1. Wayne Gretzky, 2. Alex Ovechkin, 3. Gordie Howe, 4. Jaromir Jagr, 5. Brett Hull, 6. Marcel Dionne, 7. Phil Esposito, 8. Mike Gartner, 9. Mark Messier, 10. Steve Yzerman.
Scoring goals in the NHL is the hardest single skill in professional team sports — the rink is small, the goalie is big, and the puck moves at over 100 mph. The players on this list represent the most prolific goal-scorers in the league's 108-year history, combining longevity with a remarkable ability to find the net year after year. Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 goals has stood since his retirement in 1999, widely considered untouchable. But Alex Ovechkin — the only active player in the top 10 — has spent two decades chasing it, and with 853 career goals at the end of the 2024–25 season, he sits within striking distance of the summit.
"The Great One" held nearly every NHL scoring record by the time he retired in 1999. His 894 goals came across 1,487 games for Edmonton, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and the New York Rangers, and included an unmatched nine 50-goal seasons and four 70-goal campaigns. His single-season record of 92 goals (1981–82) still stands.
The only active player in the top 10 and the greatest pure goal-scorer of the modern era. Ovechkin has spent his entire 20-season career with the Washington Capitals, winning the Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals) nine times. His signature one-timer from the left circle — Office territory — is the most recognizable weapon in the sport.
"Mr. Hockey" played a record 26 NHL seasons spanning five decades, from 1946 to 1980. His physical power and scoring touch made him the standard of excellence for a generation. He retired with 801 goals and the all-time lead, a record that stood for 19 years until Gretzky broke it in 1994.
The Czech star played 24 NHL seasons for nine teams and ranks second all-time in games played (1,733). Known for his legendary longevity and powerful puck-protection, Jagr's 766 goals include stints with Pittsburgh (two Stanley Cups), the New York Rangers, and a remarkable return to the NHL at age 45 with Calgary.
The son of Hall-of-Famer Bobby Hull, Brett Hull's slap shot was arguably the hardest and quickest release in league history. He scored 86 goals in 1990–91 — the third-highest single-season total ever — and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Dallas (1999) and Detroit (2002).
One of the most underrated scorers in NHL history, Dionne finished his career with 731 goals across 18 seasons with Detroit, Los Angeles, and the New York Rangers. He was the first player to reach 700 goals without being named Gordie or Wayne, and his peak from 1974 to 1980 produced six consecutive 50-goal seasons.
The NHL's first 60-goal scorer (1969–70) and first 70-goal scorer (1970–71), Esposito changed what seemed possible in the sport. His 76 goals in 1970–71 stood as the single-season record for a decade. He anchored the Boston Bruins dynasty that won two Stanley Cups and was known for his devastating slap shot and net-front presence.
The fastest skater in NHL history by some measures, Gartner scored 708 goals with remarkable consistency — he posted 30 or more goals in 17 consecutive seasons, a feat no other player has matched. He holds the record for most 30-goal seasons (17) and was one of only two players to score 700 goals without a 50-goal season.
The only player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cups (Edmonton 1990, New York Rangers 1994), Messier combined elite scoring with ferocious physical play. His 694 career goals included a legendary 1993–94 playoff run where he famously "guaranteed" a Game 6 victory against New Jersey and then delivered a hat trick.
"The Captain" spent his entire 22-season career with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 692 goals and winning three Stanley Cups. He evolved from a prolific 50-goal scorer in the 1980s into one of the best two-way forwards in NHL history under coach Scotty Bowman, winning the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2000.
| # | Name | activeYears | gamesPlayed | teams | careerHatTricks | hofInduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 1979–1999 | 1487 | EDM, LAK, STL, NYR | 50 | 1999 |
| 2 | Alex Ovechkin | 2005–2025 | 1486 | WSH | 32 | Active |
| 3 | Gordie Howe | 1946–1971, 1979–80 | 1767 | DET, HFD | 55 | 1972 |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | 1990–2008, 2011–2018 | 1733 | PIT, WSH, NYR, PHI, DAL, BOS, NJD, FLA, CGY | 24 | Not yet eligible |
| 5 | Brett Hull | 1986–2006 | 1269 | CGY, STL, DAL, DET, PHX | 37 | 2009 |
| 6 | Marcel Dionne | 1971–1989 | 1348 | DET, LAK, NYR | 42 | 1992 |
| 7 | Phil Esposito | 1963–1981 | 1282 | CHI, BOS, NYR | 52 | 1984 |
| 8 | Mike Gartner | 1979–1998 | 1432 | WSH, MNS, NYR, TOR, PHX | 26 | 2001 |
| 9 | Mark Messier | 1979–2004 | 1756 | EDM, NYR, VAN | 22 | 2007 |
| 10 | Steve Yzerman | 1983–2006 | 1514 | DET | 22 | 2009 |
Players are ranked by total career regular-season goals scored in the National Hockey League, from highest (rank 1) to lowest. Data is sourced from the NHL's official statistics database and the Hockey Reference all-time goals leaders page. Only regular-season NHL games count — playoffs, international competitions, and WHA totals are excluded. All figures are current through the end of the 2024–25 NHL regular season.
No. This list counts only regular-season NHL goals. Playoff goals are tracked separately — Wayne Gretzky also holds the playoff goals record with 122, followed by Mark Messier (109) and Jari Kurri (106).
At the end of the 2024–25 season, Ovechkin had 853 career goals — 42 behind Gretzky's 894. He signed a four-year extension with Washington in 2024 and has averaged 39 goals per season over the previous three years. If he maintains that pace, he would break the record during the 2025–26 season, likely in early 2026.
Mario Lemieux scored 690 career goals in just 915 games, giving him the best goals-per-game average (0.754) of any player in the top 20. He is 11th all-time. Missed significant time to injury and illness (including Hodgkin's lymphoma), but his scoring rate suggests he would have challenged Gretzky's record with a full career.