May 17, 2025 | 7:02pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

OVECHKIN “LOOKIN FORWARD” TO NEXT SEASON

Alex Ovechkin, left wing

Even though he set the NHL regular-season record for most goals scored, passing Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin remains disappointed his team could not chase another championship.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Ovechkin expressed his desire to keep playing and is “looking forward for next year” to get back in a battle for the Stanley Cup with the core of this year’s group still under contract for the 2025-26 campaign.

“It’s a special group. It’s the chemistry what we built here. It’s special,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, you know? Because I’m not a GM, I’m not a coach. I don’t want to guess, I just want to come back for next year and see the team capable to win the Stanley Cup.”

With their goaltending tandem signed and all but one defenseman locked up – blueliner Alexander Alexeyev is eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1 – the Capitals only have a handful of pending unrestricted free agents on the roster.

Andrew Mangiapane, Lars Eller, Anthony Beauvillier and Taylor Raddish can become UFAs July 1, along with stars Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, whose careers have been derailed because of injury.

The Capitals have $8.6 million in salary cap space to play with for next season and it will be up to GM Chris Patrick to fill any holes on the roster moving forward, though one forward spot is expected to be occupied by winger Ryan Leonard.

For Ovechkin, he plans on spending the off-season back home in Russia, upon which he will unwind, relax and eventually get back to training for the new season.

“I think most important thing is to do smart things,” he said. “I go back to my home, obviously relax, don’t think about hockey, and then you’ll have to start doing again, you know. And that’s the hardest part after the summer. So, I would say me and Pavel (Burlachenko, Ovechkin’s trainer) are going to do our job to get ready for the season.”

Ovechkin’s contract expires after the 2025-26 season and while he says he is healthy, he has not yet given much thought to the future.

“To be honest with you, like, I (haven’t) thought about it yet, but we’ll see what’s going to happen,” he said. “Obviously, I’m going to try to do my best and be able to do well next year and we’ll see.

Meanwhile, Eller told reporters he “definitely” plans on playing again next season, be it in Washington or somewhere else.

“My body feels good. I’m going to keep playing,” he said.

It is unclear if the Capitals and Eller’s camp will enter into contract negotiations in the coming weeks, but Eller expressed how much he enjoyed his second stint with the club.

“I felt very fortunate to be part of this team and organization on more time,” he said.