Alex Ovechkin Teases Return For Next Season with Capitals

It appears Alex Ovechkin will be returning to the NHL next season after all. While speaking with the media on Thursday, he noted, “To be honest with you, I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game. I hope it’s not my last game against Columbus.”

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Ovechkin noted a few days ago that he hadn’t made up his mind about retirement and that he needed to speak to his family. He then waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they tried to do an official handshake line when the Pens played the Caps. The feeling then was that Ovi wasn’t ready to officially call it a career. His comments on Thursday suggest he’s leaning towards an extension.

He said his kids have been asking him if he’ll come back. They want him to. “They’re excited. They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys.”

Ovechkin will become a UFA at the end of the season and he’ll need a new contract if he’s returning. The Capitals are more than fine with offering one. He joked that he wants a two-year extension from GM Chris Patrick, then said he “probably” wouldn’t consider signing with another team, joking about the idea of using his leverage to get the best deal.

He pretended to be the GM in his ideal situation when he quipped, “We want you for two more years. This is a contract. Sign it. Here (you) go.”

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