Reactions to Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record

Alex Ovechkin scoring his 895th career goal to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record reverberated quickly around hockey, sports and the rest of the world.

Here are some of the reactions:

“It was my honor to hold the National Hockey League goals record for the last three decades. I now am delighted to pass that honor to a man who truly was born to put the puck in the net and who has played our game with remarkable passion and power. I forever will be grateful for the way my idol, Gordie Howe, congratulated me upon breaking his record in 1994. And I am thrilled that I could be in attendance to share this moment with you, Alex, as you now are the leading goal-scorer in NHL history.” — Wayne Gretzky

“Salute to you, brother.” — NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James

“Alex Ovechkin has been an unstoppable force from the moment he entered the NHL in 2005 — a unique package of effervescent personality, dynamic physicality and other-worldly talent for shooting the puck. His passion for winning is matched only by his incredible ability to score goals. And today, he stands alone.” — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

"You are an amazing goal-scorer. I’ve watched you for years and admired your skill and your competitiveness. To reach this milestone and pass Wayne Gretzky, which is something nobody thought possible, truly is special. — Mark Howe, son of Gordie Howe

“With 895 goals to Alex’s name, ALL scored wearing a Capitals jersey, the GR8 Chase is officially over… and what a journey it’s been! (Ovechkin’s) accomplishments as an athlete and person, and his unbreakable connection to this team, this city and this fanbase are nothing short of remarkable. What an important moment in history for Alex, his family and the entire D.C. community.” — Capitals owner Ted Leonsis

“It’s been an honor to compete against you all these years. Over that time you’ve accomplished so many milestones. But this one was probably thought to be impossible and you found a way to do it.” — Penguins captain Sidney Crosby

“I’m glad that I was able to help you break that record along the way.” — Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy

“Just amazing.” — Montreal Canadiens coach and Hall of Fame winger Martin St. Louis

“I loved the way that you’ve done it: your way. You’ve done it with style, you’ve done it with passion and you’ve done it with joy. Just so proud of you.” — Former Capitals coach and current Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz

"At one time, Gretzky’s record seemed like an unreachable summit. And to reach it, you need to be exactly that sort of great forward which Ovechkin has been for all these years and remains. Alexander is the face of our hockey and of our sports as a whole, a person who the country is proud of. … I would like to wish Ovechkin to play for as long as he wants and to set all kinds of new records. He is a unique person, capable of displaying an amazing game at 39 years old and dominating games against the strongest of opponents. He embodies the power of our sport, of our great country. — Soviet Union goaltender and Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak

“Alex Ovechkin has been such a consistent goal scorer for this, his 20th season, is an amazing accomplishment and establishing a new record that most hockey people believed would never occur.” — All-time coaching wins leader and nine-time Stanley Cup-winning coach Scotty Bowman

"Now this record will stand for 100 years at a minimum. However maybe my grandson Filipp will be able to break this record, but he is a year and a half old now. The NHL record has been set by our Russian guy, Alexander Ovechkin, I congratulate all of us on this. In this complex political time, seeing such things is worth a lot, let’s enjoy the moment. I wish Sasha further success in his life and hockey career, everything should work out for him.” — Hall of Fame defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov

“It's impressive the way Ovi's been able to be so consistent throughout the years and still producing at the highest level, and he's turning 40 this year. It's really remarkable.” — Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom

“I’m amazed that it got broken, and how quickly he did it. That was one I thought would never be broken. It’s incredible. To have 40 goals in the late 30s is phenomenal.” — Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, who is 10th on the career goals list with 692

"I won’t lie, when Wayne retired, no one thought any of his records would be touched. And seeing him doing it in the same number of games, it’s pretty impressive in today’s game. ... Ovi deserves a lot of credit for what he’s been doing.” — Hall of Fame goaltender and New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Russian fans celebrate Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin's 895th career goal of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in a sports bar in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Wayne Gretzky, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman react as they watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game between Washington Capitals and New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), right, poses for a photo with Wayne Gretzky during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, is greeted by Wayne Gretzky during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, stands on the ice during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)