Edgehalla

NHL Record for Most Goals in a Career

Alex Ovechkin holds the NHL record with 930 goals (2005-06 to 2026-27).

Top of the list

Most Goals, Career: the leaders
RankPlayerGoalsSeasonGPAssistsPoints
1Alex OvechkinWSH · active9302005-06 to 2026-271,5817611,691
2Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR8941979-80 to 1998-991,4871,9632,857
3Gordie HoweDET,HFD8011946-47 to 1979-801,7671,0491,850
4Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY7661990-91 to 2017-181,7331,1551,921
5Brett HullCGY,STL,DAL,DET,PHX7411986-87 to 2005-061,2696501,391
6Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR7311971-72 to 1988-891,3481,0401,771

The full top 50

Most Goals, Career: NHL skater records
RankPlayerGoalsSeasonGPAssistsPoints
1Alex OvechkinWSH · active9302005-06 to 2026-271,5817611,691
2Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR8941979-80 to 1998-991,4871,9632,857
3Gordie HoweDET,HFD8011946-47 to 1979-801,7671,0491,850
4Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY7661990-91 to 2017-181,7331,1551,921
5Brett HullCGY,STL,DAL,DET,PHX7411986-87 to 2005-061,2696501,391
6Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR7311971-72 to 1988-891,3481,0401,771
7Phil EspositoCHI,BOS,NYR7171963-64 to 1980-811,2828731,590
8Mike GartnerWSH,MNS,NYR,TOR,PHX7081979-80 to 1997-981,4326271,335
9Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN6941979-80 to 2003-041,7561,1931,887
10Steve YzermanDET6921983-84 to 2005-061,5141,0631,755
11Mario LemieuxPIT6901984-85 to 2005-069151,0331,723
12Teemu SelanneWIN,ANA,SJS,COL6841992-93 to 2013-141,4517731,457
13Luc RobitailleLAK,PIT,NYR,DET6681986-87 to 2005-061,4317261,394
14Sidney CrosbyPIT · active6572005-06 to 2026-271,4301,1101,767
15Brendan ShanahanNJD,STL,HFD,DET,NYR6561987-88 to 2008-091,5246981,354
16Dave AndreychukBUF,TOR,NJD,COL,BOS,TBL6401982-83 to 2005-061,6396981,338
17Steven StamkosTBL,NSH · active6282008-09 to 2026-271,2546381,266
18Joe SakicQUE,COL6251988-89 to 2008-091,3781,0161,641
18Jarome IginlaCGY,PIT,BOS,COL,LAK6251996-97 to 2016-171,5546751,300
20Bobby HullCHI,HFD,WIN6101957-58 to 1979-801,0635601,170
21Dino CiccarelliMNS,WSH,DET,TBL,FLA6081980-81 to 1998-991,2325921,200
22Jari KurriEDM,LAK,NYR,ANA,COL6011980-81 to 1997-981,2517971,398
23Mark RecchiPIT,PHI,MTL,CAR,ATL,TBL,BOS5771988-89 to 2010-111,6529561,533
24Mike BossyNYI5731977-78 to 1986-877525531,126
25Patrick MarleauSJS,TOR,PIT5661997-98 to 2020-211,7796311,197
26Joe NieuwendykCGY,DAL,NJD,TOR,FLA5641986-87 to 2006-071,2575621,126
26Mats SundinQUE,TOR,VAN5641990-91 to 2008-091,3467851,349
28Mike ModanoMNS,DAL,DET5611989-90 to 2010-111,4998131,374
29Guy LafleurMTL,NYR,QUE5601971-72 to 1990-911,1267931,353
30Johnny BucykDET,BOS5561955-56 to 1977-781,5408131,369
31Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR5491981-82 to 2003-041,7311,2491,798
32Michel GouletQUE,CHI5481979-80 to 1993-941,0896051,153
33Maurice RichardMTL5441942-43 to 1959-60978422966
34Stan MikitaCHI5411958-59 to 1979-801,3969261,467
35Keith TkachukWIN,PHX,STL,ATL5381991-92 to 2009-101,2015271,065
35Evgeni MalkinPIT · active5382006-07 to 2026-271,2798761,414
37Frank MahovlichTOR,DET,MTL5331956-57 to 1973-741,1815701,103
38John TavaresNYI,TOR · active5272009-10 to 2026-271,2736651,192
39Marian HossaOTT,ATL,PIT,DET,CHI5251997-98 to 2016-171,3096091,134
40Bryan TrottierNYI,PIT5241975-76 to 1993-941,2799011,425
41Pat VerbeekNJD,HFD,NYR,DAL,DET5221982-83 to 2001-021,4245401,062
42Dale HawerchukWIN,BUF,STL,PHI5181981-82 to 1996-971,1888911,409
43Pierre TurgeonBUF,NYI,MTL,STL,DAL,COL5151987-88 to 2006-071,2948121,327
44Jeremy RoenickCHI,PHX,PHI,LAK,SJS5131988-89 to 2008-091,3637031,216
45Gilbert PerreaultBUF5121970-71 to 1986-871,1918141,326
46Patrick KaneCHI,NYR,DET · active5092007-08 to 2026-271,3788961,405
47Jean BeliveauMTL5071950-51 to 1970-711,1257121,219
48Peter BondraWSH,OTT,ATL,CHI5031990-91 to 2006-071,081389892
49Joe MullenSTL,CGY,PIT,BOS5021981-82 to 1996-971,0625611,063
50Lanny McDonaldTOR,CLR,CGY5001973-74 to 1988-891,1115061,006

Top 50 of 576 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

  • All NHL records

    Every official record list by category

  • Milestones

    Who could hit a milestone tonight, and who is close

  • Streaks

    Active point and goal streaks and droughts, with the luck behind them

  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

  • Gordie Howe hat tricks

    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

  • Game highs

    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

  • Rookies

    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

  • Awards

    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most goals in a career?

Alex Ovechkin holds the NHL record for most goals in a career with 930 (2005-06 to 2026-27).