Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals had “multiple conversations” on a possible contract extension. However, with no agreement in sight, the two sides have agreed to table contract talks until April, according to Bob McKenzie of NBC Sports.
McKenzie revealed the revelations of Ovechkin’s contract talks prior to the start of the Capitals game Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. At the height of the holdup on a new deal, McKenzie highlights the $9.5 million cap hit Ovechkin currently carries.
“Ovechkin wants to be with the Capitals,” McKenzie said (h/t Russian Machine Never Breaks). “The Capitals want to have Ovechkin back. The question, I guess, how much above the $9.5 million cap hit that he currently carries would he expect to get to stay in Washington and for how many years might he want to play.”
Ovechkin’s stature with the Capitals is cemented. He led the team to its first Stanley Cup title in 2018, a Conn Smythe winner. He is also a three-time Hart Trophy winner and nine-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner.
However, he is 35 years of age, playing in his 16th season. He is in the final year of a 13-year, $124 million deal. How much over a $10 million annual average salary does Ovechkin want, and the Capitals are willing to give?
“It’s a very simple equation when you think about it for the Washington Capitals,” McKenzie added. “Anything above $9.5 million – for every million dollars you’re asking for, that’s a million you have to subtract somewhere else. So it’s really up to Alex Ovechkin to determine how much is necessary for him to come back and play for the Caps, but to try and do so by diminishing the strength of the Capitals as a legitimate Cup contender.”
Thus, Ovechkin and the Capitals will reconvene in April to hopefully iron out gaps between the two sides.
