Alex Ovechkin proclaimed “I’M BACK DC !!!!” Tuesday afternoon, announcing he has signed a new contract with the Washington Capitals. The Capitals followed shortly with the official announcement.
Ovechkin signed a five-year deal worth $47.5 million. It comes out with a $9.5 million annual average. That matches his previous 13-year, $124 million that expired at the end of this past season. With the new deal, Ovechkin avoids becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN Hockey reported Ovechkin’s contract structure:
Both Ovechkin and the team maintained confidence a deal would get done. Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said last week he was “hopeful” the would be finalized before the start of Wednesday’s free agency.
Washington had salary cap restraints entering the offseason. But the team alleviated some by trading the $3.9 million salary of defenseman Brenden Dillon to the Winnipeg Jets Monday evening for two second-round draft picks.
Alex Ovechkin, who turns 36 in September, will now be tied to Washington past his 40th birthday. Also, the at the conclusion of the deal, Ovechkin will be with the Capitals for 21 years. He would tie Walter Johnson for the most seasons in DC of any athlete. It would surpass Darrell Green’s 20 seasons with the Washington Football Team.
More importantly, it will give Ovechkin a great chance to break the Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goal record while in a Capitals uniform. Ovechkin enters this season with 730 career goals. That’s 164 behind Gretzky. He’d need to average 33 goals per season to set a new mark.
The greatest player in franchise history, Ovechkin holds a number of major team records. He has won three Hart Trophies. He was named the 2018 Conn Smythe winner for leading the Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup title.
