Ovechkin Returns, Capitals Reload
Alex Ovechkin Returns for 22nd Season as Capitals Rebuild for Stanley Cup Run
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Key Points
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The Capitals were among the league's most active teams this offseason, pursuing multiple deals to upgrade their forward group, including adding Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner.
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Ovechkin's wife suggested he play 'one more year, or maybe two years, I don’t know' — a line he cited when explaining why retirement plans aren't settled yet.
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Several veterans from the 2018 Stanley Cup title era have left Washington, including Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, Braden Holtby and Evgeny Kuznetsov, with John Carlson traded last season as part of a broader turnover.
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Team president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan said the Capitals came in looking to add skill to their top six, signaling a deliberate rebuild direction with new forwards and a veteran core.
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The new additions include three players who have each reached 30 goals in a season—Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner—indicating a goal-scoring emphasis in the offseason roster build.
Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season with the Washington Capitals, signing a one-year, $4.25 million contract at nearly 41 years old, according to NBC Washington. The all-time goals leader remains noncommittal on whether this will be his final season — telling reporters his wife suggested he play "one more year, or maybe two years, I don't know."
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's career goals record last season and shows no signs of walking away. "I still can play," he said, per Yahoo Sports. His return anchors a Capitals roster that has been overhauled to chase another Stanley Cup.
Capitals Load Up With Three 30-Goal Scorers
Washington was one of the NHL's busiest teams this offseason. The Capitals added Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner to their forward group. Each of those three players has scored at least 30 goals in a season, according to NBC Washington. The moves signal a clear focus on putting the puck in the net.
Team president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan said the Capitals "came in looking to add skill to their top six," per Athlon Sports. The strategy is to build around Ovechkin with fast, proven scorers who can carry the offense on nights when he doesn't.
2018 Cup Core Has Largely Left Washington
The Capitals' championship group from 2018 has mostly moved on. Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, Braden Holtby and Evgeny Kuznetsov are all gone. John Carlson was traded last season as part of a broad roster turnover, according to AOL. Ovechkin and Tom Wilson are the last major links to that title run.
In their place, Washington has built a new core. Dylan Strome, Jakob Chychrun, Pierre-Luc Dubois and goalie Logan Thompson now form the backbone around Ovechkin. The team is younger and faster than the 2018 squad, but also less proven at winning when it matters most.
Ovechkin Says This Roster Can Win the Cup
Ovechkin isn't just showing up to collect a paycheck. He called the current Capitals roster a Stanley Cup contender, per Kansas City Star. At 40, he says his leadership alone can lift the locker room. "I still can play," he repeated, making clear he believes he has real value beyond his name.
His one-year deal keeps the door open for another return in 2026-27, though nothing is decided. His wife's comment — "one more year, or maybe two" — seems to have settled him into taking it season by season, according to Athlon Sports. No farewell tour. No firm last game. Just hockey.
Months of Uncertainty Ended With a $4.25M Deal
Ovechkin's return was far from a sure thing. Months of doubt followed his record-breaking season, with fans and analysts unsure if he would retire. The uncertainty ended when he signed his one-year, $4.25 million contract, per Yahoo Sports. The deal is modest by star standards but reflects his age and the team's budget needs.
The Capitals are betting that one more Ovechkin season — paired with a fresh supporting cast — is enough to make a deep playoff run. Whether it's his last or not, Washington is built to win now.
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