Gordie Howe was never considered the greatest natural goal scorer during the Original Six days and beyond, regardless of the raw statistics.

Maurice Richard was, which is why the trophy awarded to the league’s leading goal scorer is named the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Sometimes, even the NHL can’t mess it up, though the fact that the trophy awarded to the league’s best defenseman is named after James Norris Sr., an owner who at one time had a financial interest in all four U.S. teams in the ’50s, remains preposterous.

<div class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper"><a href="#" aria-controls="nyp-slideshow-modal" data-slideshow-modal="trigger" title="Open a slideshow of all 8 article images." aria-label="Open a slideshow of all 8 article images." data-slideshow-slide-number="1" data-slideshow-slides-total="8"> 8 </a></div><figcaption>Alex Ovechkin poses with the puck he scored with against the Islanders to pass Gretzky as the IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect</figcaption>

The point, though, is that over the last quarter century, folks would never have identified Wayne Gretzky as the greatest natural goal scorer in NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky’s all-time goals record, sparking debate about the NHL’s greatest scorer. NY Post columnist Larry Brooks weighs in on the legacy and significance of the …{ai:summary}Gordie Howe was not seen as the greatest natural goal scorer during the Original Six era, a title often attributed to Maurice Richard, after whom the Rocket Richard Trophy is named. The naming of the best defenseman trophy after James Norris Sr. raises eyebrows, as he had financial ties to multiple teams.In the past 25 years, Wayne Gretzky has also not been recognized as the greatest natural goal scorer in NHL history, despite his statistical achievements. #sports

Alex Ovechkin’s historic goal chase reignites debate over NHL’s greatest natural scorer

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