Washington Capitals: 5 training camp storylines

4 of 6

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 27: Washington Capitals Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the Capitals practice for the NHL Stanley Cup Final Media Day on May 27, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#3 Alex Ovechkin enters the penultimate season of his contract

While a majority of the attention will be on Braden Holtby and Nicklas Backstrom’s contracts, Alex Ovechkin will embark on the second to last year of his massive 13-year, $124 million deal.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 6: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals poses for a portrait for the NHL Player Media Tour on September 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinoios. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

At this point none of us will know what will happen. Ovechkin hinted at the possibility of retirement in early August when his contract expires but on media day he point blank said he wanted to stay in Washington.

Ovechkin told J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington:

"“Of course I would love to stay in Washington, but I would say before, we’ll see what’s going to happen. I said I don’t want to play for a different team than Washington.”"

Ovechkin enters his 15th training camp and he is now the oldest player on the team. He has no desire talking about a new contract. Not with an important 2019-20 season coming up with a few milestones within striking distance including 700 career goals.

Everyone in Washington would love to see the Caps re-sign Ovechkin and regardless of what happens to Backstrom or Holtby, I see Ovechkin staying in Washington past the 2020-21 season as he continues his quest to catch Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Home/Editorials