Alex Ovechkin has made a decision about his NHL future. The Washington Capitals legend is back for his 22nd season with the franchise, the team revealed on Thursday. Ovechkin has inked a one-year, $4.25 million contract in hopes of getting one more shot at his second Stanley Cup.
The greatest scorer in NHL history will return to add to his record total of 929 goals. Even at the age of 40 last season, Ovechkin still notched 32 goals, and he remains a key piece of the Washington power play. As the Capitals retool their roster, Ovechkin could get at least one more shot at his second Stanley Cup.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Ovechkin immediately asserted himself as one of the NHL’s most electrifying players as a rookie in 2005-06. That year, he beat out Sidney Crosby for the Calder Trophy with 52 goals and 106 points. That was just the first chapter in one of the greatest individual rivalries in sports history.
Over the next two decades, Ovechkin made a habit of finding the back of the net. Ovechkin has scored 50-plus goals nine times in his career, and he topped 60 goals in 2007-08. In the process of tormenting opposing goaltenders, Ovechkin loaded up on Rocket Richard Trophy and Hart Trophy wins, but he had to wait a while for his first Stanley Cup.
After a series of playoff disappointments — usually at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins — Ovechkin and the Capitals finally broke through in 2018. Washington defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, and Ovechkin took home the Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring 15 goals in 24 games.
Last season, Ovechkin was still an effective offensive threat for the Capitals, notching 32 goals and 32 assists while playing all 82 games.
