Ovechkin signs five-year, $47.5 million contract with Capitals
Alex Ovechkin returns to the Capitals, signing a five-year deal to remain in Washington
Capitals Re-Sign Alex Ovechkin to $47.5M, 5-Year Contract
c has re-signed with the Washington Capitals for $47.5 million over five years.
Alex Ovechkin broke the news that he’s staying with the Washington Capitals in true Ovi fashion with five exclamation points.
Five more years and a chance to chase Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record.
Ovechkin re-signed Tuesday with the only NHL team he has ever played for, inking a $47.5 million, five-year deal. The superstar Russian winger who captained the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup championship in franchise history is now under contract through the 2025-26 season.
“I’M BACK DC !!!!!” Ovechkin tweeted with a picture of him holding up the signed contract surrounded by his family.
Ovechkin, who turns 36 in October, ranks fifth on the career goals list, 164 back of Gretzky’s record of 894 that was long considered unbreakable. Ovechkin would need to average almost 33 goals a season to catch Gretzky during this contract, which expires when he’s on the verge of his 41st birthday.
“Alex is the face of our franchise and is committed to this organization and this city,” general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “Alex embodies what our franchise is all about, and we’re thrilled that he will continue his career in the Caps uniform for the next five years.”
Ovechkin signed for one more season than most were expecting, extending him past longtime running mate Nicklas Backstrom’s contract that runs through 2024-25. The salary cap hit of $9.5 million — just below Ovechkin’s annual number during his $124 million, 13-year contract that’s expiring — allows MacLellan to keep a playoff- and Cup-contending core around him.
“Alex is a world-class athlete who will forever be regarded not only for leading the team to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup but also for inspiring the next generation of fans and youth players,” owner Ted Leonsis said. “Not only is he committed to the franchise but also to the community, and we look forward to seeing him in the Capitals uniform for years to come.”
Washington selected Ovechkin first overall in 2004, and since he made his debut in 2005, the Moscow native has scored 244 more goals than the next-closest player, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby. His 1,320 points are second to Crosby, a longtime rival Ovechkin has been connected with since they broke into the league together.
Re-signing Ovechkin was one part of the Capitals’ offseason puzzle. The Capitals held off signing Ovechkin to a new deal until after the Seattle expansion draft so they could protect another player.
After losing goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the expansion Kraken, they unloaded salary Monday night by trading defenseman Brenden Dillon to Winnipeg for 2022 and 2023 second-round picks. They have less than $5 million in cap space and still need to sign restricted free agent goalie Ilya Samsonov to a new contract and add a backup.
Alex Ovechkin
Ovechkin signs five-year, $47.5 million contract with Capitals
Forward is sixth in NHL history with 730 goals, could have become unrestricted free agent Wednesday
Alex Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract to remain with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $9.5 million.
The 35-year-old forward, who could have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, negotiated the contract directly with the Capitals without an agent, like he did in in 2008, when he signed a 13-year, $124 million contract.
“Alex is the face of our franchise and is committed to this organization and this city,” Captital general manager Brian MacLellan said. “Alex embodies what our franchise is all about, and we’re thrilled that he will continue his career in the Caps uniform for the next five years.”
Ovechkin led the Capitals with 24 goals in 45 games this season despite missing an NHL career-high 11 games because of NHL COVID-19 protocol (four) and a leg injury (seven). He scored four points (two goals, two assists) in the Stanley Cup First Round, when Washington was eliminated from the best-of-7 series by the Boston Bruins in five games.
Although the past two seasons have been shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ovechkin believes breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 goals remains possible. He is sixth in NHL history with 730 goals, one behind Marcel Dionne and 11 behind Brett Hull in fourth.
Ovechkin also has scored 269 power-play goals, five behind Dave Andreychuk’s NHL record of 274.
“You still have chances, man,” Ovechkin said May 25. “You just have to go out there and do your thing and maybe it happens, maybe not. But how I said, one step at a time.”
Ovechkin, who was named Washington’s captain Jan. 5, 2010, has led the NHL in goals a record nine times, and his eight seasons with at least 50 goals is one shy of the record shared by Gretzky and Mike Bossy. Last season he was on pace to score 57 goals, having scored 48 in 68 games, before play was suspended March 12, 2020 because of the pandemic.
Selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Ovechkin is the Capitals leader in goals, points (1,320), games played (1,197), power-play goals and power-play points (499). He is also their leader in games played (141), goals (71), points (135), power-play goals (27) and power-play points (58) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He helped them win their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as the most valuable player of the playoffs after scoring 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 24 games.
“Alex is a world-class athlete who will forever be regarded not only for leading the team to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, but also for inspiring the next generation of fans and youth players,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said. “The impact Alex has had on hockey in D.C. extends well beyond Capital One Arena. His performance on the ice has undoubtedly sparked countless new fans of the game and inspired more youth players to lace up skates of their own. Off the ice, Alex’s impact is equally unmatched. Not only is he committed to the franchise, but also to the community, and we look forward to seeing him in the Capitals uniform for years to come.”
A three-time Hart Trophy winner voted as the most valuable player in the NHL (2008, 2009, 2013), Ovechkin also won the Calder Trophy voted as the NHL rookie of the year in 2006; the Ted Lindsay Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by members of the NHL Players’ Association, three straight seasons from 2008-10; and has been named to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times (2006-10, 2013, 2015, 2019).
During the NHL’s Centennial season in 2017, Ovechkin was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.
Capitals Re-sign Captain Alex Ovechkin
The all-time franchise leader in games, goals and points has signed with Washington for five more seasons as he chases the NHL’s all-time goal scoring title
The Washington Capitals have re-signed captain Alex Ovechkin to a five-year, $47.5 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $9.5 million. Ovechkin – who will enter the 2021-22 season in sixth place on the NHL’s all-time goals list – is under contract through the 2025-26 season.
“Alex is a world-class athlete who will forever be regarded not only for leading the team to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, but also for inspiring the next generation of fans and youth players,” said Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder and CEO Ted Leonsis. “The impact Alex has had on hockey in D.C. extends well beyond Capital One Arena. His performance on the ice has undoubtedly sparked countless new fans of the game and inspired more youth players to lace up skates of their own. Off the ice, Alex’s impact is equally unmatched. Not only is he committed to the franchise, but also to the community, and we look forward to seeing him in the Capitals uniform for years to come.”
Ovechkin, the franchise leader in games played (1,197), goals (730) and points (1,320), captained the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. Since 2005-06, Ovechkin’s rookie season, Washington ranks second in the NHL in wins (689) and points (1,524).
“Alex is the face of our franchise and is committed to this organization and this city,” said MacLellan. “Alex embodies what our franchise is all about, and we’re thrilled that he will continue his career in the Caps uniform for the next five years.”
The final year of the contract will mark Ovechkin’s 21st season with the Capitals. In Washington, D.C., sports history, only Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson and Washington Football Team cornerback Darrell Green have played at least 20 seasons with their respective team (Johnson: 21 seasons from 1907 to 1927; Green: 20 seasons from 1983 to 2002).
Ovechkin, who passed Mike Gartner (708g) and Phil Esposito (717g) on the NHL’s all-time goals list during the 2020-21 season, is two goals shy of passing Marcel Dionne (731g) for fifth place and 165 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (894g) for the most in NHL history.
Ovechkin will seek to become the third player in NHL history to reach the 800-goal mark, along with Gretzky and Gordie Howe (801g). Should he maintain his career 0.61 goals per game rate, the highest rate in NHL history among players with at least 700 goals, Ovechkin would score his 800th career goal in his 1,312th career game. Gretzky reached the mark in his 1,116th career game (March 20, 1994), while Howe accomplished the feat in his 1,748th career game (Feb. 29, 1980). With Ovechkin signed with the Capitals for the next five seasons, he would need to average 33 goals per season during that span to pass Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leader.
Ovechkin scored 24 goals in 45 games in 2020-21, equating to a 43-goal pace over an 82-game season. With 24 goals last season, Ovechkin became the fourth player in NHL history to record 16 consecutive 20-goal seasons at the start of his career, joining Dionne (17), Jaromir Jagr (17) and Mats Sundin (17). The 2020-21 season marked the first season in which Ovechkin did not reach the 30-goal mark, leaving him tied with Gartner and Jagr for the most consecutive seasons in NHL history with at least 30 goals (15). Ovechkin and Gartner are the only players to begin their careers with 15 consecutive 30-goal seasons. Additionally, Ovechkin only trails Gartner (17) for the most total 30-goal seasons in NHL history.
Ovechkin’s 48 goals during the 2019-20 season tied for the NHL lead, giving him an NHL record ninth career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. No other player has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy more than twice since its creation in 1998-99. It marked the seventh time Ovechkin had received the trophy in the last eight seasons. Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to lead the League in goals at the age of 34 or older, joining Bill Cook (1932-33: 28g in 48 games) and Howe (1962-63: 38g in 70 games). Additionally, Ovechkin became just the fourth player in NHL history to score 48 or more goals in a season at age 34 or older, joining Jagr in 2005-06 (54g; age 34), Johnny Bucyk in 1970-71 (51g; age 35) and Teemu Selanne in 2006-07 (48g, age 36). Of Ovechkin’s 48 goals scored in 2019-20, 35 were scored at even strength, the fourth-highest total of his career. His 48 goals were also the second-most Ovechkin has scored in a single season when scoring 13 or fewer power play goals (2009-10: 50g, 37esg, 13ppg).
Ovechkin scored his 700th career goal on Feb. 22, 2020, against the New Jersey Devils, becoming the eighth overall and second-fastest player to reach the mark. Ovechkin reached the milestone in his 1,144th career game, trailing only Gretzky (886 games).
With 13 games remaining prior to the 2019-20 season suspension, Ovechkin was on pace for 57 goals, which would have been the second-highest total of his career, his highest total since 2007-08 (65) and the ninth time Ovechkin would have reached the 50-goal mark. Ovechkin was on pace to join Gretzky and Mike Bossy as the only players in NHL history with nine 50-goal seasons. He would have also joined Esposito as the only players in NHL history to record at least three 50-goal seasons after their 30th birthday (Esposito: four). Additionally, Ovechkin would have become the second-oldest player in NHL history to record a 50-goal season, behind Buyck (35 years, 308 days old at the conclusion of the 1970-71 season). In addition to being one 50-goal season shy of tying Gretzky and Bossy for the most in NHL history, his 11 career 40-goal seasons are also one shy of Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
Ovechkin has played in 1,197 of the Capitals’ 1,239 games (96.6 percent) since making his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, marking the fifth-most games played in the NHL during that span. Ovechkin is one of seven players in NHL history to play their first 16 seasons with the same team and appear in at least 96.6 percent of their team’s regular season games. Ovechkin has played in 435 of the Capitals’ last 450 games, seven of which were missed due to injury, and has missed just 17 games in his entire career due to injury.
Since entering the NHL in 2005-06, Ovechkin leads the League in goals (730), power play goals (269), power play points (499), game-winning goals (116), overtime goals (24) and ranks second in points (1,320). Ovechkin holds a 244-goal lead over the next highest scorer during that span (Sidney Crosby: 486). Despite beginning his NHL career in 2005-06, Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals since the start of the 1992-93 season. He is the NHL’s all-time leader in overtime goals (24), ranks second in power play goals (269) and shots (5,727) and fourth in game-winning goals (116).
strength goals (457), even strength points (816), game-winning goals (116), overtime goals (24), shots (5,727) and multi-goal games (149).
Ovechkin is the all-time franchise leader in playoff games (141), goals (71), points (135) and game-winning goals (10). Among active players, Ovechkin’s 0.50 goals per playoff game rank first in the NHL (minimum 100 career playoff games), while his 27 playoff power play goals rank second (Evgeni Malkin: 28). During the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship run, Ovechkin led the team with 15 goals and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player, becoming the first Capital to receive the trophy. Ovechkin also became the first Russian-born captain to win the Stanley Cup.
In addition to his Stanley Cup championship, Conn Smythe Trophy and nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies, Ovechkin has won a Calder Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy, three Hart Memorial Trophies and three Ted Lindsay Awards. He is the only player in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, an Art Ross, a Hart, a Ted Lindsay and a Maurice Richard Trophy.
Ovechkin was selected by the Capitals in the first round, first overall, in the 2004 NHL Draft. Among his draft class, his 1,197 games are 160 more than the next closest player (Travis Zajac: 1,037), his 730 goals are 306 more than the next closest player (Malkin: 424) and his 1,320 points are 216 more than the next closest player (Malkin: 1,104). Among every first overall draft pick in NHL history, Ovechkin’s 730 goals rank first.
Ovechkin has represented Russia in three Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014), 13 World Championships (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019), three World Junior Championships (2003, 2004, 2005) and two World Cups of Hockey (2004, 2016). In total, Ovechkin has won three gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the World Championships, a gold and a silver at the World Junior Championships and a silver and bronze medal at the World U-18 Championships. In 106 International games at the senior level for Russia, Ovechkin has 79 points (45g, 34a).
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin
(Russian: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr ɐˈvʲetɕkʲɪn]; born 17 September 1985) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Often known as “Ovi” (alternately spelled “Ovie”) and “the Great Eight”, Ovechkin is widely considered to be one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
Ovechkin began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague, playing there for four seasons from 2001 until 2005 and returning briefly during the 2012–13 NHL lockout. A highly touted prospect, Ovechkin was selected by the Capitals first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. However, he would remain in Russia until 2005 due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. In the 2005–06 NHL season, Ovechkin’s first with the Capitals, he scored 52 goals and 54 assists to lead all rookies in points, capturing the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year and finishing third overall in league scoring.
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s leading goal scorer, an NHL-record nine times, first doing so in 2007–08, when his 65 goals and 112 points also earned him the Art Ross Trophy for most points scored, the Hart Memorial Trophy for most valuable player, and the Lester B. Pearson Award for best player as voted on by the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). Ovechkin would again win the Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Pearson Award in 2009; he won the Ted Lindsay Award (the renamed Pearson Award) for a third consecutive year in 2010, also the fifth straight year Ovechkin was named to the First All-Star Team.
After some years of decreased scoring, Ovechkin reclaimed the goal-scoring title in 2013, earning the Richard Trophy and his third Hart Trophy. He would repeat as the Richard Trophy winner in 2014, 2015, and 2016, scoring at least 50 goals each season and becoming only the third player to score 50 goals in seven different seasons. In 2017, Ovechkin was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time.[4] After ten playoff runs with the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin won his first Stanley Cup in 2018 over the Vegas Golden Knights, as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the 2018 playoffs. In 2020, Ovechkin scored his 700th career NHL goal, the eighth player to reach that mark.
Internationally, Ovechkin has represented Russia in multiple tournaments. His first IIHF tournament was the 2002 World U18 Championship. The following year he made his debut at the World Junior Championship, helping Russia win the gold medal. He played two more years at the World Juniors, as well as once more at the World U18 Championships. Ovechkin’s first senior tournament was the 2004 World Championship, and he also played in the World Cup that year. Ovechkin has also played for Russia at the Winter Olympics in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Overall, Ovechkin has represented Russia at eleven World Championships and three Olympics in his career, winning the World Championship three times.