There’s a lot of talk about Alexander Ovechkin trying to break Wayne Gretzky’s famous 894-goal scoring record, but in a few years, Auston Matthews might be thinking about it too.
At least that’s what Toronto Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin suggested Wednesday. With a solid roster of players expected to be around him by the end of his career, the 27-year-old American has a real shot at doing just that.
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“I think anything is possible. Look at the forwards the Leafs have right now. With [Mitch] Marner, [William] Nylander and [John] “Tavares, there’s so much talent up front,” Sundin, who was attending the team’s morning practice, told reporters.
Matthews has scored 368 goals since his National Hockey League (NHL) debut. His goals-per-game average (.655) is currently higher than Gretzky’s (.601) and Ovechkin’s (.598) average.
If he stays healthy and plays 10 more full seasons, Matthews can reach 894 goals by averaging 52.6 goals per campaign. If he plays 12 seasons, he would need 43.8 goals per year.
It’s far from impossible, especially considering he’s twice crossed the 60-goal mark. He has a good chance of seeing his collection of three Maurice-Richard trophies grow in the coming years.
“He has the potential to break a lot of records. And not just him, I think. There are other guys on this team who are still young and will have long careers,” Sundin predicted.
A record within reach
Before thinking about “The Great One,” Matthews has another challenge ahead of him. With 52 goals in 2024-25, he would join Sundin and his 420 goals scored in a Maple Leafs uniform, a record.
“Auston is going to break my record, whether it’s this year or next, and that’s how it has to be,” admitted the Swede, who played for the team between 1994 and 2008.
The Hall of Famer also served as captain in Toronto, a role Matthews inherited last August. Sundin says the mustachioed sniper will just have to be himself to find success.
“All great leaders lead by example. He doesn’t have to change anything, he’ll be fine. He’ll be great,” he said.
