If Alex Ovechkin returns, what will his future with the Capitals look like?
A non-NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs talking point that remains prevalent is the future of Alex Ovechkin and whether his career with the Washington Capitals is complete. Today, we make projections for Ovechkin and the Capitals if he does return for another season.
If Alex Ovechkin returns, what will his future with the Capitals look like? originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
We still don’t yet know whether Washington Capitals star winger Alexander Ovechkin will return to the NHL for the 2026-27 season. The 40-year-old Russian has not announced yet if he’s going to come back for what would be his 22nd NHL season, but he did say last week he was “pretty sure” he hadn’t played his final NHL game. So, for argument’s sake, we’re going to write the rest of this column believing Ovechkin will be back.
With that said, let’s look at what the future probably looks like for Ovechkin. For starters, we shouldn’t be surprised to see Ovechkin sign a one-year contract extension. The idea of signing a multi-year extension would lock Ovechkin into the foreseeable future, and he may prefer the flexibility of a one-year contract that allows him to revisit his feelings about playing at this time next year.
MORE : Alex Ovechkin sends clear message on future as Capitals await decision Now, as for the financial amount we should be projecting Ovechkin to make on his next contract, you have to bear in mind that he led the Capitals in goals (32) and points (64) this past season. That means he’ll have some leverage when he goes to Washington GM Chris Patrick to negotiate a new contract. Ovechkin’s current salary of $9.
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