Hockey fans love to argue. But when it comes to the “Greatest of All Time,” we are usually arguing over numbers 2 through 5. Because when you look at Wayne Gretzky, you aren’t just looking at records; you are looking at a mathematical anomaly.
You can launch a sportswriter.ca hockey category, but you cannot hide from “The Great One.”
My Professional Opinion: The “Big Five” You absolutely should include Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, and (as of 2026) Alexander Ovechkin in the conversation. Sidney Crosby, of course, must be there. Here is how that “Big Five” maps out:
- Wayne Gretzky (The Standard): It’s not close. He has more assists (1,963) than anyone else has points. If he had scored zero goals, he would still be the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. That isn’t a career; that’s a glitch in the matrix.
- Gordie Howe (The Foundation): He is the origin story. Before Gretzky, there was “Mr. Hockey.” He defined the blend of brute force and elite skill, setting the original “unbreakable” record (801 goals).
- Mario Lemieux (The Talent): He is the single greatest pure talent the NHL has ever seen. His point-per-game average is essentially identical to Gretzky’s. If he hadn’t missed significant parts of five seasons, we might have been looking at a true 1a/1b.
- Alexander Ovechkin (The Pure Scorer): You can’t talk about GOATs in 2026 without acknowledging the greatest shot the world has ever seen. Ovi did one thing better than anyone else: find the back of the net. That focus is his legacy.
- Sidney Crosby (The Mind): Sid is the anti-Ovechkin. He is the ultimate hockey mind, a player who reinvented his game multiple times. He has won everything possible, and he controls the ice with intelligence, not speed.
The Verdict: Numbers and Intelligence Sidney Crosby is the best cerebral hockey player since Gretzky. He has the 1,500+ points, the three Cups, and the 20 years of relentless intelligence. If we are judging who played the game “smartest,” Crosby is in the argument.
But hockey is about points, and Gretzky’s numbers are a fortress. My take for sportswriter.ca: The true hockey debate isn’t “Who is better than Gretzky?” The true hockey debate is “Who is the most complete player after Gretzky?”