After Alexander Ovechkin notched his 895th career goal last season, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL record, the Great One quipped that should the Russian sniper become the first to hit the 900-goal plateau, he might buy him a car.
On Wednesday in Washington, the Great 8 accomplished the once unimaginable feat in a win over the St. Louis Blues, raising the question as to whether Gretzky will make good on his offer.
“You get to 900 and I might buy you a car,” Gretzky told Ovechkin after the 31-year record fell in an April game against the New York Islanders.
“I will try,” the future Hall of Famer replied.
In making his playful offer on the ice that night, Gretzky was referring to his own experience of breaking Gordie Howe’s goal record in 1994 while playing for the Los Angeles Kings.
Upon setting the new benchmark, then Kings owner Bruce McNall presented him with a 1994 Rolls-Royce Cornish IV — only 219 of which were ever produced — during an on-ice ceremony.
Gretzky reminded Ovechkin of his boss’s generous gift twice on the night.“
“When I set the record, they bought me a Rolls-Royce, so you got your work cut out,” he said to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis during his on-ice remarks.
Wayne Gretzky’s speech as he passes the torch to the NHL’s newest goals King, Alex Ovechkin 🐐 pic.twitter.com/DrEiRWxZ3O
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 6, 2025
In the locker room after the game, Gretzky brought it up again, prompting Ovechkin to look to Leonsis.
“Talk to him,” the owner said, gesturing to Bettman, who responded, “We’ll talk.”
“I told Mr. Leonsis when I broke the record they got me a Rolls-Royce, so I hope they get you something.”
What car should Ovi be gifted for passing Gretzky’s record?
pic.twitter.com/FLCDa5f93G— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 7, 2025
Gretzky’s Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, hasn’t been in his possession for at least two decades and
was being auctioned by Sotheby’s
around the time of Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal, where it was expected to fetch in excess of US$500,000. National Post has contacted the auctioneer about the vehicle’s current status.
Ovechkin’s 900th goal, scored in the second period to give his team a 2-0 lead over the host Blues, would stand as the game-winner in a 6-1 victory.
900 NHL GOALS FOR ALEX OVECHKIN!!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/4HeKNfluoF
— NHL (@NHL) November 6, 2025
“Pretty cool, first player ever to do that, so it’s a special moment,”
Ovechkin told reporters after the game
. “It’s nice to get it.. at home so the fans, the family, can be here.”
After the goal was scored, Blues goalie Jordan Binnington appeared to keep the record-setting puck, tucking it inside his equipment as the Capitals celebrated on the ice. One of the linesmen eventually came over to retrieve it.
Jordan Binnington tried to pull off the greatest heist since the Louvre got robbed
Taking Alex Ovechkin’s puck from goal No. 900
pic.twitter.com/9o9NaX5jBv https://t.co/7kWPSz9n4f
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 6, 2025
“I’m not going to comment on it,” Ovechkin said when asked.
Binnington, who was pulled from the game after giving up four goals on 15 shots, also declined to comment, according to
Ovechkin was later photographed with the puck in the locker room.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
