Ovechkin Leaves Open Possibility He Could Play in Russia Next Season

While superstar sniper Alex Ovechkin says he’s begun the process of negotiating a contract extension with the Washington Capitals, he’s certainly leaving open the possibility he won’t be playing in the NHL next season. During a Russian language interview with Match TV’s Pavel Lysenkov, Ovechkin says he’s confident a deal will get done to stay put, but he’s not worried because he’ll be an unrestricted free agent if a deal doesn’t come to pass.

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Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract officially ends on July 28. If an extension is not signed before then — presumably after the NHL Expansion Draft and then before free agency begins — he’ll be free to sign wherever he’d like. That could still be with the Capitals, or it could be with another NHL team or in another league.

The interview, translated by Google Translate, notes Lysnekov starting out by saying, “You don’t have a new contract with Washington yet.” He adds, “But many understand that this is due to the fact that the Expansion Draft will soon take place – Seattle is being added to the league. It is more profitable to sign Ovechkin after this draft so that the Capitals can protect an extra player. Is it so? And is there no reason to worry?”

“I have no worries,” responded Ovechkin. If he becomes a free agent, then he becomes a free agent and he’s not concerned about that. He added, “But, of course, I would like to stay in Washington. Negotiations are still underway. So let’s wait and see.”

Ovechkin obviously isn’t going to tip his hand and say that a deal is done since the NHL frowns upon teams having worked out arrangements with free agents only to wait until the expansion draft has come and gone. It could be the two sides have that everything but the T’s crossed and I’s dotted.

Could Ovechkin Jump to Russia?

As per RMB, Lysenkov then asked Ovechkin if there was “at least a one percent chance” that he will return to Russia and play for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL in 2021-22 – the same team that Ovi started his Hall of Fame career with. “Next season? Yes, everything is possible!” Ovechkin said.

Is this something NHL fans should be worried about? Probably not. Still, that he’s so open about the potential it could happen means it’s a story worth keeping an eye on.

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