Alex Ovechkin wants to finish his career with the Capitals

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May 25, 2021
alex ovechkin contract
Mar 26, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin wants to finish his career with the only team he’s ever known, the Washington Capitals. The 35 year-old will be a UFA this summer but remains optimistic that he will reach a contract extension. He is coming off a 13-year deal worth $124 million.

Alex Ovechkin wants to finish his career with Capitals

“I’m confident; we still have time,” Ovechkin said on Tuesday. “Obviously, I want to finish my career here. I’m pretty sure we will do something soon.”

Ovechkin was part of the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup-winning season in 2018, however he has also seen his team unceremoniously eliminated in the first round of each of the last three years. The Capitals were eliminated on Sunday following a five-game series loss to the Boston Bruins.

alex ovechkin capitals
Mar 13, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is on record of saying he wants to keep the three-time Hart Trophy recipient with his team.

“Alex knows that if he plays five more years, 10 more years, whatever it is, we’ve got his back,” Leonsis told The Athletic last month. “Our commitment to him is to continue to have great teams. We’ll spend to the cap; we’ll try to win championships. And that’s what he’s focused on, because that will be his legacy.”

Ovechkin’s 730 career goals reside 164 shy of tying Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. Ovechkin notched 42 points (team-leading 24 goals, 18 assists) in 45 games this season.

Ovechkin was never worried

Alex Ovechkin is now an unrestricted free agent. Yet, not a single sane person believes he won’t be coming back to the Washington Capitals. “I’m not worried about it,” Ovechkin said via NHL.com about his next deal. “Why do I have to worry about it?”

The rumor mill has the Caps reserving anywhere from $8 to $11 million depending on how much term Alex is seeking. Just don’t expect this to happen until after the Seattle Expansion draft so Washington can protect another player. I wrote about how NHL teams will be delaying signing UFA’s here.

—Field Level Media contributed to this story

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