Canadian hockey legend who holds 61 NHL records and is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
Historians, record enthusiasts, and those who value sustained excellence and completeness
Canadian hockey icon known for unmatched skill, size-speed combination, and dominant peak performances despite health challenges.
Fans valuing raw talent, skill, athleticism, and peak-era dominance over career longevity
Gretzky is widely considered the greater player due to his unmatched scoring records, longevity, and consistency across 20 seasons, while Lemieux showcased superior skill and dominance during his peak years. Both are top-5 all-time hockey players, but Gretzky's sustained excellence and records give him the edge historically.
Gretzky edges out Lemieux due to his legendary consistency, unbreakable records, and ability to dominate for two decades. However, Lemieux demonstrated higher peak skill and was more dominant during his prime years. Choose Gretzky if you value historical records and longevity; choose Lemieux if you prioritize pure talent and peak-era dominance.
Choose Gretzky if
Historians, record enthusiasts, and those who value sustained excellence and completeness
| Metric | Gretzky | Lemieux | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Goals(goals) | 894 | 690 | +30% |
| Career Assists(assists) | 1,963 | 1,033 | +90% |
| Career Points(points) | 2,857 |
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Choose Lemieux if
Fans valuing raw talent, skill, athleticism, and peak-era dominance over career longevity
| 1,723 |
| +66% |
| Points Per Game(PPG) | 1.92 | 1.88 | +2% |
| Hart Trophy (MVP) Awards(awards) | 9 | 3 | +200% |
| Stanley Cup Championships(cups) | 4 | 2 | +100% |
| All-Star Game Selections(selections) | 18 | 10 | +80% |
| Single-Season Goals Record(goals) | 92 (1981-82) | 85 (1988-89) | +8% |
| Career Length(seasons) | 20 | 17 | +18% |
| Games Played(games) | 1,487 | 915 | +63% |
| Hall of Fame Induction(year) | 1999 (first ballot, unanimous) | 1997 (first ballot, unanimous) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Apr 2026.
Gretzky
894 goals🏆
Lemieux
690 goals
Gretzky
1,963 assists🏆
Lemieux
1,033 assists
Gretzky
92 goals (1981-82)🏆
Lemieux
85 goals (1988-89)
Gretzky
4 Cups (1984-88)🏆
Lemieux
2 Cups (1991-92)
Gretzky
9 awards🏆
Lemieux
3 awards
Gretzky
1.92 points/game
Lemieux
1.88 points/game
Gretzky
20 seasons (1979-1999)🏆
Lemieux
17 seasons (1984-2006, with breaks)
Gretzky
18 All-Star appearances🏆
Lemieux
10 All-Star appearances
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Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player ever. His 61 NHL records, 2,857 career points, 9 Hart Trophies, and 20 seasons of elite performance cement his legacy. While Mario Lemieux had exceptional peak dominance, Gretzky's sustained excellence across two decades gives him the edge.
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| Attribute | Gretzky | Lemieux |
|---|---|---|
| Career Goals(goals) | 894 | 690 |
| Career Assists(assists) | 1,963 | 1,033 |
| Career Points(points) | 2,857 | 1,723 |
| Points Per Game(PPG) | 1.92 | 1.88 |
| Hart Trophy (MVP) Awards(awards) | 9 | 3 |
| Stanley Cup Championships(cups) | 4 | 2 |
| All-Star Game Selections(selections) | 18 | 10 |
| Single-Season Goals Record(goals) | 92 (1981-82) | 85 (1988-89) |
| Career Length(seasons) | 20 | 17 |
| Games Played(games) | 1,487 | 915 |
| Physical Attributes(inches/lbs) | 5'11", 185 lbs (finesse-based) | 6'4", 220 lbs (size-strength-speed) |
| Hall of Fame Induction(year) | 1999 (first ballot, unanimous) | 1997 (first ballot, unanimous) |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
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