Steven Stamkos of the Nashville Predators has cemented his legacy among the National Hockey League's all-time greats. On December 31, 2025, in Las Vegas, the veteran forward scored his 600th career NHL goal, entering one of the sport's most exclusive fraternities.
A Milestone Among Legends
By netting that historic power-play goal against the Vegas Golden Knights, Stamkos became just the 22nd player in league history to reach the 600-goal plateau. This achievement virtually guarantees a future spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame, as every retired member of the 600-goal club is enshrined, with only current stars Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby awaiting eligibility alongside him.
The milestone comes as the 35-year-old Stamkos, who will turn 36 on February 7, shows no signs of slowing down. He is coming off a prolific 12-goal month in December 2025, proving his elite scoring touch remains sharp. Now with the Predators after a legendary captaincy with the Tampa Bay Lightning that included two Stanley Cup victories, Stamkos has amassed 1,218 points in 1,205 games over his illustrious career.
Admiration for McDavid's Drive
As Stamkos and the Predators prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers, his respect for Oilers captain Connor McDavid is palpable. The two stars, along with several other NHL players, train together in the Toronto area during summers under fitness guru Gary Roberts.
"Connor's drive to excel is off the charts. I see it all summer. It's almost mind-boggling. There's no off-switch for him," Stamkos remarked. He marvels at McDavid's unique combination of supernatural skill and relentless work ethic, noting his "engine" and ability to never seem tired.
While Stamkos possesses the two Stanley Cup rings that McDavid covets, he readily acknowledges the Oilers' captain's singular talent. "Nobody has his combination of speed with the puck," Stamkos said, comparing him to other elite players like Nathan MacKinnon but emphasizing the stylistic differences that make McDavid unique.
Longevity Inspired by Peers
What fuels Stamkos as he approaches his late 30s? Part of the answer lies in watching the sustained excellence of his contemporaries. He points to the continued high-level play of Sidney Crosby at 38 and Alex Ovechkin at 40 as inspirations for longevity.
Stamkos's own resume is a testament to consistent elite performance: featuring one 60-goal season, one 50-goal campaign, and five others with 40 or more. He has recorded eight 80-point seasons, five surpassing 90 points, and a career-high of 106 points in the 2021-22 season.
His journey to 600 goals began when he was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. His legacy includes one of the most inspirational goals in Stanley Cup Final history, scored on a badly injured leg in the 2020 Final against the Dallas Stars in an empty Rogers Place arena in Edmonton during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Steven Stamkos continues his career in Nashville, his place among hockey's scoring royalty is now permanently secured, with his eyes set on adding to his total and chasing further team success.
