Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Exits Preseason Game vs. Flyers with Lower-Body Injury
Oct 8, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Boston Bruins in the first period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Washington Capitals announced that superstar winger
Alex Ovechkin left Friday night's preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers with a lower-body injury and would not return.
Ovechkin is one of the most lethal
scorers in NHL history with 730 career goals, and he may eventually
surpass Wayne Gretzky (894 goals) for the all-time record. His
durability is part of the reason he's moved within striking distance
of the historic mark.
The 36-year-old Russian missed four
games or less in 14 of his first 15 NHL seasons, including five years
where he played in all of the Caps' regular-season contests. He did
miss 11 games last season, however, seven with a lower-body injury and four
because of COVID-19 protocols.
Anthony Mantha would likely get the
first chance to fill the void at left wing on the team's first line. Carl Hagelin
and Conor Sheary could also see more time in the top six and on the
power play should the injury linger into the start of the regular season.
Washington's depth on the left side
should help the club overcome any type of short-term absence for
Ovechkin. A more extended injury for the face of the franchise would
be a significant setback since he's still one of the league's
most dangerous offensive players.
The Capitals open their 2021-22 campaign on Oct. 13 against the New York Rangers.
Capitals Agree to Contract with Caesars to Become 1st NHL Team with Jersey Sponsor
Sep 24, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals warms up before Game Five of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena on May 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Washington Capitals and Caesars Entertainment announced a multiyear partnership Friday that will begin in the 2022-23 season, per David Purdum and Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. The team will wear the Caesars Sportsbook logo on its home and third sweaters.
The Capitals are the first NHL team with a jersey sponsor and the first in the four major United States sports leagues to sell jersey sponsorship to a gambling entity.
The patch will measure three inches by three-and-a-half inches.
The Capitals will not have the Caesars Sportsbook advertising on its away uniforms, however, to ensure it isn't seen in arenas in states where single-game sports betting isn't permitted.
"We don't want that jersey going to away markets where it's not legal," said Keith Wachtel, the NHL's chief business officer and senior executive vice president.
Alex Ovechkin's Updated Career Earnings After 5-Year, $47.5M Capitals Contract
Jul 27, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Boston Bruins in the first period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Washington Capitals announced
Tuesday they've signed superstar winger Alex Ovechkin to a five-year,
$47.5 million contract extension through the 2025-26 NHL season.
Ovechkin's career on-ice earnings will
reach $170.7 million by the conclusion of the new deal, per Spotrac.
"Alex is the face of our franchise
and is committed to this organization and this city," Caps
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."
The 35-year-old Russian has remained
one of the league's most lethal scorers 17 years after the Capitals
selected him with the first overall pick in the 2004 draft.
Ovechkin has led the NHL in goals nine
times, including a recent three-year streak from the 2017-18 through
2019-20. He was limited to 45 appearances this past season because of
injuries but still managed to light the lamp 24 times.
The three-time Hart Memorial Trophy
winner ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list
with 730 goals. His first tally of the 2021-22 season will tie him
with Marcel Dionne for fifth.
He's 164 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for
the all-time record. He'll need to average 32.8 goals during
the duration of his new deal to pass Gretzky.
Signing Ovechkin to what will likely be
his final long-term contract should also help the Caps keep their
championship window open for the immediate future. They captured the
first Stanley Cup title in franchise history in 2018.
Alex Ovechkin Returns to Capitals on 5-Year, $47.5M Contract: 'I'm Back DC!'
Jul 27, 2021
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in action during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Alex Ovechkin era isn't over just yet for the Washington Capitals after the future Hall of Famer signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old continued to deliver on the ice in his 16th season, leading the Caps in goals (24) to go along with 18 assists in just 45 appearances.
Ovechkin is the greatest player in franchise history and the Capitals' all-time leader in games played (1,197), goals (730) and points (1,320). His role in the 2018 Stanley Cup triumph cemented his status among Washington, D.C., sports legends.
The state of the Caps raised serious questions earlier this year about his long-term future in the nation's capital, though. Following Washington's Game 5 defeat, the Russian wasn't in a mood to talk about his next contract.
"We just lost in a playoff series," hetold reporters. "Let's talk about my contract and all those stuff later on."
His final decision was bound to chart the Capitals' path for the next few years.
Since winning that title, Washington failed to get out of the first round of the playoffs, losing in five games in each of the last two seasons.
General manager Brian MacLellan is running into the same problems that arise for any NHL team that has enjoyed a sustained run of success. The key veterans get older and more expensive, and adjusting on the fly grows even more difficult.
The team's goaltender situation was a microcosm of the situation. Braden Holtby signed with the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, which left the Capitals leaning on a pair of netminders (Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov) without any playoff experience. Samsonov wound up allowing 10 goals in three playoff starts.
The Capitals can't exactly rebuild with an aging Ovechkin still on the roster, so they have to pry their championship window open as much as they can. That won't be easy when they're due to have a projected payroll of $77.4 million for 2021-22.
Caps GM Brian MacLellan and his staff have a lot of decisions to make this summer as the Ovechkin era winds down sooner than later. Given his history, I'd bet on some bold ones.
The Washington Post's Samantha Pell also explained how MacLellan has to grapple with more considerations, like what to do with Samsonov and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Samsonov, a restricted free agent, played well in the regular season, finishing with a .902 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average. But he didn't go above and beyond to leave the Caps with an easy decision about his possible return.
Kuznetsov, on the other hand, didn't deliver. Twenty-nine points in 41 games isn't a good return for a player with $31.2 million to run over four years. Pell reported that "there is frustration in the organization over his lack of on-ice production coupled with off-ice problems."
Re-signing Ovechkin is better than the alternative because it would be great to see him begin and end his career in D.C. And while a rebuild is inevitable at some point, kicking the can down the road makes sense when it's done to accommodate a veteran who has achieved everything he has.
But MacLellan has a lot of work ahead to get the team meaningfully closer to a title in 2022.
Capitals GM: Alex Ovechkin's New Contract Could Be Completed Before Free Agency
Jul 24, 2021
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters (h/t Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic) that he's hopeful the team will be able to reach an agreement with left wing Alexander Ovechkin before free agency officially begins Wednesday.
Ovechkin's 13-year, $124 million contract is set to expire. Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, he is negotiating the terms of his new deal.
"I'm confident; we still have time," Ovechkin told reporters on May 25 during his year-end media availability session.
"Obviously, I want to finish my career here. I'm pretty sure we will do something soon."
The Caps took Ovechkin with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft. He's been a member of the team ever since, posting 730 goals and 590 assists. His goal mark is sixth all time.
The three-time Hart Trophy winner and 12-time All-Star also led the Caps to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final victory in 2018.
The 35-year-old Ovechkin is still productive, registering 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 games last year for a Caps team that reached the playoffs for the seventh straight year. He led the 36-15-5 Caps in goals despite missing 11 regular-season contests.
Contending Window Quickly Slamming Shut on Capitals and Alex Ovechkin
May 26, 2021
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, hoists the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Three straight first-round exits in the Stanley Cup playoffs would be reason enough for any team to get introspective. The Washington Capitals, on the heels of a 4-1 series dismantling by the Boston Bruins, have to consider why they've failed to embark on a respectable playoff run since their 2018 Stanley Cup.
Yet general manager Brian MacLellan's dilemma goes beyond recent results. This is not a run-of-the-mill offseason but rather one in which MacLellan needs to stare into the abyss and consider the team's long-term identity.
Captain Alexander Ovechkin is at the end of his 13-year contract signed in 2008 and will turn 36 before the start of next season. Time flies. The Capitals have to ask some uncomfortable questions about the most realistic path, if there is one, for milking one last pursuit of the Cup during the Ovi era.
Nothing is guaranteed until documents are formally signed, but let's cut to the chase: Ovechkin is probably re-signing in Washington. He has expressed his desire to return to the only NHL team he's ever known.
That feeling is definitely mutual. With his electric play and rambunctious personality, Ovechkin has almost single-handedly taken an also-ran Capitals team and turned them into one of the NHL's premier franchises. He's the focal point of leaguewide marketing efforts. He's the team leader and the linchpin in the locker room. He is easily the most important figure in franchise, maybe even D.C. sports, history.
Ovechkin might not be the player he was 10 years ago, but he's still very good, and Capitals ownership knows a failure to re-sign him would likely instigate an insurgence within the locker room and among the fanbase.
A problem for Washington is that Ovechkin, on the downswing of his career, will join a number of other players who have big salary-cap hits and are also on the wrong side of the aging curve. The core of the team was designed to peak a few seasons ago, and the mission was accomplished in 2018. Three years later, these players are still capable but no longer at their best.
The result is a good team but not necessarily a contending one. Per Evolving Hockey, Washington finished 13th by expected goals at five-on-five last season. The power play still has its magic, but the goaltending has left a lot to be desired. As constructed, the Capitals seem primed to make the playoffs the next couple of seasons but also struggle to be a real contender.
Unfortunately for MacLellan, he's already played most of his cards. After he fired Todd Reirden and hired Peter Laviolette last summer, another head coaching change is unlikely. A shallow prospect pool plus no 2021 first-round pick nor 2022 second-rounder won't make trading for difference-makers easy.
And there's a salary-cap dilemma. Most of the roster is under contract for next season, with Ovechkin, deadline acquisition Michael Raffl ($1.6 million) and Zdeno Chara ($795,000) the only notable players coming off the books as unrestricted free agents.
After accounting for restricted free agent Ilya Samsonov's new contract and a $500,000 cap charge from Chara's bonus overage, MacLellan will be left with roughly $8.25 million in cap space with which to re-sign Ovechkin.
He and the Caps have been discreet about what his next contract will look like. Evolving Hockey projects a multiyear pact in the range of $7 million to $8 million. The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir has speculated it could come in as high as $11 million annually. Cap consultant Idriss Bouhmouch theorizes something in the range of $9 million to $10 million, per El-Bashir.
Every dollar saved is good news for the Capitals, but unless Ovechkin takes a hometown discount of epic proportions, MacLellan will be left with little, if any, remaining cap space with which to improve the roster.
It's unlikely anyone within the organization will be content to sit tight with injections of new blood needed at forward, defense and especially goaltender. For such improvements to happen, MacLellan will have to resort to heavy lifting.
Trading Evgeny Kuznetsov is one option for opening cap space and recuperating assets. There are rumblings that suggest the team has grown frustrated with the Russian and could explore the market for him this summer, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun. While there will be interest, his contract ($7.8 million per year through 2024-25), the potential presence of other centers on the market and his struggles this season will limit the potential return.
Losing a player to Seattle in the expansion draft might ironically offer the Capitals a break. Depending on whom Washington exposes, the Kraken may take a depth player such as Carl Hagelin or Brenden Dillon and give the Capitals an extra $2.5 million to $4 million in cap space. To really open things up, the Caps may even decide to expose T.J. Oshie ($5.75 million) and hope Seattle brings him in.
Samsonov, 24, could be a cap casualty to make a desperately needed short-term upgrade in goal. If the team does that, it better be sure about the incoming goaltender. Samsonov, despite his struggles this season, has as much upside as just about any young goaltender. Giving up on his long-term potential to accommodate a quick fix could backfire severely.
Moving a player like Kuznetsov or Oshie presents a Catch-22; it opens up cap space but forces the team to then replace those players' contributions. It's possible, but certainly not easy.
The Capitals could use prospects such as Connor McMichael, Martin Fehervary and Alexander Alexeyev as trade chips, but getting contributions from young talent on cheap contracts is integral to keeping a contending window open. Trading the few talented prospects they have could be counterproductive.
Washington could keep the shape of the roster with only a few tweaks, banking on a belief that its struggles this season were because of a difficult campaign under unique circumstances. It's a legitimate theory but one that is undermined by similar struggles in two prior seasons.
The team's top players aren't getting any younger, and the Capitals have a mandate to keep their window of contention alive. The team's front office will have to make some major changes under delicate circumstances if it is to rejuvenate the roster and give Ovechkin one more serious run at another Cup in Washington.
Alex Ovechkin 'Confident' of New Capitals Contract, Wants to Retire with Team
May 25, 2021
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Alexander Ovechkin remains confident he will finish his career with the Washington Capitals despite facing unrestricted free agency this offseason.
"I'm confident; we still have time," Ovechkin told reporters Tuesday. "Obviously, I want to finish my career here. I'm pretty sure we will do something soon."
The future Hall of Famer is finishing a 13-year, $124 million contract that remains the richest deal in hockey history.
While not quite in his prime, Ovechkin remains one of hockey's most impactful offensive forces. He put up 42 points (24 goals, 18 assists) in 45 games played this season, missing seven games because of injury and an additional four for violating NHL COVID-19 protocols.
Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported the Capitals remain unsure whether to offer Ovechkin a long-term or short-term contract. Kaplan's report indicated the team is considering offers ranging anywhere from one to four years.
Salary is another potential snag. Ovechkin will likely want a raise on the $9.5 million AAV of his previous contract, though it's not especially clear that paying eight figures for a player entering the twilight of his career is a prudent move under the cap.
The NHL, like all professional sports leagues, was hit heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides are motivated to get a deal done, but it may be more complicated than the rubber-stamping of a record-setting contact the two sides pulled off last time they negotiated.
Bruins Advance to 2nd Round with Game 5 Win over Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
May 24, 2021
Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates his goal with the bench during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Boston Bruins reeled off their fourth straight win over the Washington Capitals, beating the Caps 3-1 on Sunday to advance out of the first round in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Following a scoreless opening period, David Pastrnak drew first blood for the Bruins with 2:28 off the clock in the second frame. While Mike Reilly was credited with the assist, the goal was largely the result of brilliant individual play by Pastrnak.
Patrice Bergeron doubled Boston's advantage with 5:55 left in the period.
Conor Sheary provided a much-needed jolt to the Caps in the third period. He waited just 11 seconds before making it a 2-1 game, pouncing on the rebound from his own effort on Tuukka Rask.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 24, 2021
Bergeron took the wind out of Washington's sails with his second goal. It looked like Lars Eller got another back for the Capitals, but the referees wiped out the goal due to goalie interference on Evgeny Kuznetsov.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around what Kuznetsov was doing there. Unreal. #Caps
This is Washington's third first-round exit in a row after lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2018. With Alex Ovechkin set to become a free agent, this could be a pivotal offseason for the franchise.
Notable Performers
Tuukka Rask, G, Bruins: 40 saves, .976 save percentage
David Pastrnak, RW, Bruins: one goal, one assist, three shots
Patrice Bergeron, C, Bruins: two goals, four shots
Conor Sheary, LW, Capitals: one goal, three shots, one blocked shot
Efficiency Trumps Volume for Bruins
Not all shots on goal count the same.
If you weren't aware of the score, you probably would've expected the Capitals to have sailed through comfortably in Game 5. Washington owned a firm 41-19 edge in shots.
Sheary's goal aside, Rask delivered between the pipes for the Bruins.
Eller sets up Sheary for Capitals' best scoring chance so far to right of the net, but Rask is there waiting for him to make the save.
This was also a strong collective effort from Boston's defense. For much of the game, Washington was reduced to taking shots with a low percentage of finding the net.
Washington is taking shots from far out with no traffic on Rask. Doesn’t seem to be ideal.
Coming from behind to take Game 3 turned this series irretrievably in the Bruins' favor. They dominated Washington in Game 4 and were in firm control for the vast majority of Game 5.
Washington started to look a little more threatening after Sheary's opener, yet was unable to capitalize. Boston didn't panic and eventually responded through Bergeron to put the final touches on a dominant performance.
Ovechkin Era Potentially Ends with a Whimper
The Capitals weren't the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year in no small part because neither of their top two goaltenders had logged a playoff appearance entering the postseason. Craig Anderson, meanwhile, played in just four games during the regular season.
The 11 goals surrendered by Washington over the previous three games underscored what was clearly the team's biggest weakness. Bergeron's first goal came on a shot you'd expect a veteran netminder to stop.
Considering what hangs over the Capitals this summer, the sting of Sunday's loss will be felt even more. Nothing will totally erase what the 2018 triumph meant, but to witness what has transpired since then has to be somewhat deflating for the fanbase.
You know how the end of a gangster movie comes kinda out of nowhere - a couple minor things go wrong and then everything is awful? I really hope that’s not what I’m watching with the Caps
You never want to see a franchise legend leave, but allowing Ovechkin to leave might be the only way for Washington to embrace the transition it sorely needs. There's only so much the front office can do to revitalize a roster that's already projected to carry a $77.3 million cap hit in 2021-22.
The players' lackluster effort Sunday was particularly damning.
Thoughts through 40 minutes: *Pastrnak isnt heating up. He's on fire. Be very afraid, rest of the NHL. *Charlie McAvoy w/6 blocked shots in 16 minutes. This after 3 assists in Game 4. What a stud *Tuukka Rask quietly brilliant in this series *Capitals look ready for tee times
Ovechkin has been the face of the franchise and a reference point for the Capitals for 16 years. It might be time to start over.
What's Next?
Boston awaits the winner of the other East division playoff series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. The teams are tied at two games apiece.
Craig Smith's OT Goal Lifts Bruins Past Alex Ovechkin, Capitals for Game 3 Win
May 20, 2021
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals fights for the puck with Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
After heading to overtime for the third game in a row, the Boston Bruins are the leaders in their first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, defeating East Division runner-ups for the second consecutive game to take a 2-1 advantage.
Boston won 3-2 on home ice on Wednesday thanks to a double-overtime winner from Craig Smith.
For the Capitals, who are trailing in the series after winning the first game in overtime, Alex Ovechkin and Nic Dowd both scored.
Notable Performers
Craig Smith, Bruins: 1 goal, 1 assists, +2, 4 SOG
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: 1 goal, 4 SOG
Taylor Hall, Bruins: 1 goal, +2, 2 SOG
Tuukka Rask, Bruins: 35-of-37 saves
Ilya Samsonov, Capitals: 40-of-43 saves
Taylor Hall Handles Early Issues for Bruins
The Bruins had the shot advantage in the first period, putting 10 pucks on net compared to just four from Washington. But the Washington offense that was so relentless earlier games came back in the second period, scoring first with an Alex Ovechkin point with 8:21 gone.
Less than a minute later, Taylor Hall was the savior yet again for Boston, scoring the equalizer a game after he forced overtime.
The Bruins had the advantage in the first period, when they found themselves on either side of the power play on three separate occasions but continued to dominate no matter how many men were on the ice.
There was only 8:43 played at 5-on-5 in the first, but shot attempts were 8-2 Bruins during that time. https://t.co/TZFIpN1pgV
But they slugged through the second, when they found themselves shorthanded twice.. They were outshot 16-11 in the frame, allowing the Capitals to go up initially on a power play goal.
The separation in the third was even more notable:
Capitals outshot Bruins, 8-0, at 5 on 5 in the third.
In the first overtime period, the Bruins outshot Washington 17-5 but couldn't capitalize.
Even at full strength, a lack of aggression seemed to be at the heart of the trouble for the Bruins after a fast first.
Both Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak looked like they didn't want to get hit on that play that led to the Capitals goal. Tough to beat Washington playing that way
The Bruins got back on the power play on two separate instances early in the third, and they finally capitalized on the second to tie it up thanks to Brad Marchand.
But Boston has struggled with their power play throughout the series, having entered Wednesday scoring one goal through six chances.
Failing to convert four more against a third-string goaltender in Game 3 was a mark of the struggle for a team that finished the regular season with the No. 10 power play percentage in the league at 21.9 percent.
With Hall proving himself to be a major trade deadline pickup, it might be time for the Bruins to try him out on the top power play unit and see if it will make a difference in must-score moments.
Samsonov Stands Strong for Washington
Capitals backup goaltender Craig Anderson starred in Game 1, making 21 saves after starter Vitek Vanecek suffered a lower-body injury. After he allowed two quick goals in Game 2, he settled in, making 44 saves en route to a 4-3 overtime loss. But he didn't start in Game 3, with Washington looking to Ilya Samsonov to keep them from going down in the series.
It was certainly a unique decision when you're contending for dominance in a playoff series.
Ilya Samsonov, not Craig Anderson, led the Capitals out for warmups. Samsonov has a .860 career SV% in three games against the Bruins. He also has zero playoff experience. pic.twitter.com/1FndsMxrGb
Anderson was out due to body maintenance, per Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. Center Lars Eller, who was tabbed with an assist in Game 2, was also out with a lower-body injury.
He kept the Capitals out of trouble in the first period, making 10 savesand surviving a five-on-three situation, though he had some help from his defense.
Garnet Hathaway had his day in Game 2, when he had a pair of goals, but Game 3's hero (briefly) was his linemate, Nic Dowd, who deflected the go-ahead late in the second period.
The depth from that fourth line has been part of the difference that has helped the Capitals succeed even with three different netminders through as many games.
What's Next?
Game 4 is in Boston on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Becomes 6th NHL Player with 800 Regular-Season, Playoff Goals
May 20, 2021
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals reacts with teammates after scoring in the second period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on May 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Alex Ovechkin just keeps on adding accomplishments to his Hall of Fame resume.
On Wednesday, he scored his 800th career goal (regular season and postseason), joining Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Brett Hull, Jaromir Jagr and Mark Messier in that elite club:
Ovechkin isn't showing any signs of slowing down, either. The 35-year-old scored 24 goals in 45 games this season after posting 48 goals across 68 contests last year. If he stays healthy and plays for a few more seasons, the 16-year veteran could potentially become just the second player in NHL history to reach 900 goals.
He almost assuredly won't catch Gretzky's 1,016. But he might catch Howe's 869. Regardless, his career has already reached legendary status.
