July is right around the corner. The Washington Capitals must re-sign their captain Alex Ovechkin. It is number one on the offseason to do list and a deal could be coming sooner rather than later.
The massive 13 year, $124 million deal ends on July 28. Ovechkin and the Caps have met multiple times to discuss contract extensions with the great eight representing himself without an agent. The quotes sound promising but it’s time to put a pen to paper or in one journalist’s case, take the contract out of the drawer.
Ovechkin told the media at the end of the season:
"“I want to finish my career here. I’m pretty sure we will do something soon.”"
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General Manger Brian MacLellan added:
"“I think both sides are interested. We want Ovi. The ownership wants Ovi to finish his career here. Everyone wants him to finish his career (here). He’s saying the same thing. I think we’ll get it worked out in the end.”"
On Monday a report came out from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his 31 thoughts column. He wrote: “I can’t find anyone in the NHL who thinks Alexander Ovechkin’s extension isn’t already ‘in the drawer’.”
Ted Leonsis told the media back in May:
"“Alex knows that if he plays five more years, 10 more years, whatever it is, we’ve got his back. 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.”"
The question now isn’t if but when will the Caps announce the potential extension. Rumor has it it will come after the Seattle Kraken expansion draft is over. The quotes sound promising. It’s no secret the great eight wants to finish his career with the Caps. The Caps can essentially leave him exposed but with Ovechkin as a free agent taking him would be too risky. That’s the same strategy they employed with T.J. Oshie in the Vegas expansion draft before announcing an extension.
The Oshie extension helped the Caps win the Stanley Cup and extending Alex Ovechkin can help the team’s quest towards a second Cup and the great eight’s quest to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Summer is here and things are really going to heat up once the Stanley Cup gets awarded. All eyes will be on Washington to see what they will do with their team captain who’s given so much to the entire DMV and the sport of hockey.