Interesting Debate Emerges Online Involving Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby

With all of the history that both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have made in 2024/25, there can be no doubting at this point that they have solidified themselves amongst the greats in league history.

Ovechkin will soon become the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, while Crosby has made history as the player with the most point-per-game or better season in NHL history, both passing Wayne Gretzky, who many consider to be the greatest player in league history.

Now, as a result, an intriguing debate has emerged online, with someone asking the question of whether or not the league should retire Ovi's No. 8, and if you did that, hypothetically, it would also mean you'd have to do the same for his long-time rival.

Unsurprisingly, there were some differing opinions on the possibility, with most stating that it's unlikely to happen for Ovechkin, even if his number will almost certainly be retired by the Capitals themselves.

On top of that, many point out that 66 should likely be the next number retired by the league if it would happen, but given that in baseball, 42 is the only number retired and in the NBA it's just 6, it's unlikely that the NHL would look to retire more than one number league wide.

Ultimately though, both Crosby and Ovechkin have done incredible things league wide and will both go down as arguably the best players in franchise history, but given that Gretzky still holds many records around the league for most MVP's and five Championships along with the unbreakable scoring record, it's unlikely that we see another number retired anytime soon.