Skip to content
Y
o
u
r
 
d
a
i
l
y
 
d
o
s
e
 
o
f
 
h
o
c
k
e
y
News

Idea: rename the Maurice Richard trophy for Alex Ovechkin
Jonathan Di Gregorio
Idea: rename the Maurice Richard trophy for Alex Ovechkin
Credit: Getty Images
The great hunt is over.

Alex Ovechkin is now the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, scoring his 895th goal and breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record.

The historic goal was highlighted by a ceremony lasting several minutes where The Great One was the first to shake Ovy’s hand. An official passing of the torch.

According to Gretzky, it’s a record that will never be broken. However, we said the same thing about his mark, but indeed, it’s a record that won’t be broken anytime soon.

Moreover, Ovechkin still has time to improve this mark, as in addition to the five games he has left to play this season, there’s no indication he’ll retire at the end of the season.

The great number eight is therefore the undisputed leader of goal scorers. Moreover, Drew Livingstone proposes to rename the Maurice Richard trophy, which is awarded annually to the best scorer of the season.

His argument is based on the fact that Ovy has won the trophy nine times, while Richard was only the best scorer five times.

Personally, I really don’t think it’s a good idea.

The idea behind the names of the trophies is partly to honor the history and past of the NHL.

I understand that names like Art Ross and Vézina don’t mean much to a new generation of hockey fans, but that’s precisely the importance of keeping these memories of the great history of the League.

If we start changing the names of the trophies every time a player wins them more often than their predecessors, we’ll have to do it often, and I think it’s likely to be more confusing than anything else.

And even if someone doesn’t know who James Norris is, we know it’s the trophy awarded to the best defenseman, no need to call the trophy Bobby Orr or Nicklas Lidstrom.

Moreover, following the same logic of who has won them the most, we should name the Art Ross, Hart, and possibly Lady Bing trophies (for the modern era) the Wayne Gretzky trophies, since he has won the most.

I’m sure the NHL and the Capitals will find several ways to highlight Ovechkin’s career and record when the time of his retirement comes, but don’t touch the Maurice Richard trophy.


Overtime

– The historic goal!

– What a photo!

– Martin St-Louis highlighted the feat.

– One of his most beautiful goals.

– Throwback to 2005.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
More Content