Sportsnet🏒 Hockey · 1970
Orr takes flight
Orr scores the Stanley Cup winner 40 seconds into overtime and is sent flying.
Hockey
NHL careers, all eras. Minimum 2 Hart Trophies. Data as of 2025–26 season end.
The Machine
Achievement 35%Dominance 25%Peak 20%Longevity 20%
| # | Athlete | GOAT score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky1979–1999 | 86.8 |
| 2 | Gordie Howe1946–1980 | 63.2 |
| 3 | Mario Lemieux1984–2006 | 57.9 |
| 4 | Jean Béliveau1950–1971 | 48.3 |
| 5 | Connor McDavid2015–present | 45.5 |
| 6 | Sidney Crosby2005–present | 42.2 |
| 7 | Alex Ovechkin2005–present | 39.3 |
| 8 | Bobby Orr1966–1979 | 36.4 |
Weigh it differently? Set your own weights →
What the AIs say
| # | Athlete | Impact | Character | Machine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 10.0 | 9.5 | #1 |
| 2 | Bobby Orr | 10.0 | 9.3 | #8 |
| 3 | Mario Lemieux | 9.3 | 9.3 | #3 |
| 4 | Gordie Howe | 9.0 | 8.8 | #2 |
| 5 | Alex Ovechkin | 8.8 | 7.8 | #7 |
| T6 | Sidney Crosby | 8.5 | 10.0 | #6 |
| T6 | Jean Béliveau | 9.0 | 10.0 | #4 |
| T6 | Connor McDavid | 9.5 | 9.0 | #5 |
Panel ballots are the AI models’ own views, published word for word. They aren’t goat’s opinions and can contain errors.
Moments
Sportsnet
NHL🏒 Hockey · 1994
Gretzky passes his idol
Goal No. 802 moves Gretzky past Gordie Howe for the NHL goals record.
NHL🏒 Hockey · 1988
Five goals, five ways
Even strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty net, all in one game.
NHL🏒 Hockey · 1981
50 in 39
Five goals against Philadelphia give Gretzky 50 in 39 games, a record that still stands.
SPORTSNET🏒 Hockey · 2025
No. 895
A power-play goal against the Islanders makes Ovechkin the NHL’s all-time goals leader.
How this category is measured
| Indicator | Pillar | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stanley Cups | Achievement | — |
| Hart Trophies (MVP) | Achievement | — |
| Art Ross Trophies (scoring title) | Dominance | — |
| Career points per game | Peak | — |
| Career goals | Longevity | — |
| NHL seasons | Longevity | — |