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Taking a look at the NHL’s ‘unbreakable’ records

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Now that some of the biggest news is done with, it’s time for some fun stuff. NHL.com’s John Kreiser is one of the go-to sources for such amusement and today is no exception. He listed some of the NHL’s most “unbreakable” records. Here are some of my favorite tidbits from the article.

Most points, career: Wayne Gretzky, 2,857

" ... of all his records, this is the one that will be the toughest to top. Gretzky’s assist total of 1,963 would make him No. 1 on the all-time scoring list (Mark Messier is No. 2 with 1,887 points) -- but he also scored a record 894 goals. To put Gretzky’s margin in perspective: a baseball player would have to hit well over 1,000 home runs to exceed Barry Bonds’ career record by the same percentage that Gretzky’s career points total exceeds Messier’s.”

Wow, that’s just absurd. As a Pittsburgh Penguins fan I’ll always feel like Gretzky enjoyed some advantages (a few more years in the score-happy era, far superior teammates, health) but those numbers just make your brain fall out of your skull.

Most goals by a rookie: Teemu Selanne, 76 in 1992-93

Since then, the only rookie to score more than 45 goals was Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, who had 52 (and 106 points) in 2005-06. Like Selanne, he won the Calder Trophy.

I agree with Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy on this one. If there’s one record in that group that isn’t of the fluky “X number of goals in X amount of time” variety that I could see falling, it might be the goals in a season for a rookie. Rules changes from increased penalty enforcement to smaller goalie pads or big nets could open the way for another goal scoring buffet. Besides, a single season feat is easier to top than a career full of brilliant play.

Most saves in a game: Sam LoPresti, 80

No one has come within 10 shots of facing as many shots as LoPresti -- the next-highest total is 70 saves on 73 shots by Quebec’s Ron Tugnutt in a 3-3 tie at Boston on March 21, 1991. Since then, the most saves by a goaltender is the 58 made by the Islanders’ Dwayne Roloson in a 4-3 overtime win at Toronto last Nov. 23.

This is the other record that could be broken some day. It doesn’t seem to require the saves to be made in regulation, so does that mean a marathon playoff game could count? Heck, when you consider the fact that Alex Ovechkin occasionally sends 10 shots toward the net in a single game it seems (a bit) more approachable.

Still, I’m not saying it’s an easy record to break.

I’ll leave you with the one record (beyond Gretzky’s marks) from the story that I couldn’t fathom being broken, either.

Most consecutive complete games by a goaltender: Glenn Hall, 502