"The Great Eight, who entered the 2025-26 NHL season with 897 career goals, was reminded ahead of the game that Wayne Gretzky promised to buy him a new car if he became the first player in league history to score 900. "I think [Gretzky] told you he was going to buy you a car if you got to 900. I know you're a car guy, what are you thinking?" TNT Sports rinkside reporter Tarik El-Bashir asked him pre-game."
""Honestly, I don't remember that," Ovechkin said through a smile. "I'm too old for this stuff." Gretzky, too, pleaded ignorance after hearing El-Bashir dig up his seven-month-old offer to the Capitals captain during TNT's pre-game coverage on Wednesday. "That was news to me," he said through a chuckle. "It's one thing he broke my record, now he wants to break my bank?""
"Gretzky made his generous offer during the on-ice ceremony honoring Ovechkin for breaking his all-time NHL goals record at UBS Arena on April 6. "You get to 900 I might buy you a car," Gretzky said then. "I will try," Ovechkin replied. The 40-year-old, indeed, is known for his eclectic car collection. He once owned seven of them back in 2013 and was gifted a new Jetour SUV in July for breaking Gretzky's record while participating in "Match of the Year" back in his native Russia."
Alex Ovechkin entered the 2025-26 NHL season with 897 career goals and did not score in the Capitals' 3-1 opening-night loss to the Boston Bruins. Wayne Gretzky offered to buy Ovechkin a car if he became the first player to reach 900 goals. Reporters reminded Ovechkin of the offer pregame; he smiled and said he did not remember and joked he was too old for it. Gretzky also feigned surprise and called the offer news to him. Ovechkin is 40, owns an eclectic car collection, was gifted a Jetour SUV in July, and will have another chance to add to his total at UBS Arena on Saturday.
Read at RMNB
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