The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer re-signed with the Washington Capitals on a one-year, incentive-laden deal, the team announced on Thursday.
Ovechkin will make a $1 million base salary and earn another $4.75 million if he reaches 10 games played. He will also receive a $3.25 million signing bonus while costing the Capitals $4.25 million against the cap.
“I’m back!” Ovechkin said in a team-released statement. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
The 40-year-old Ovechkin played all 82 games last season, registering a team-leading 32 goals and 32 assists. He has led or co-led the Capitals in goals in each of his 21 seasons.
Now sitting at 929 career goals and 1,006 including playoffs, Ovechkin returns to Washington just 10 markers shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record combined mark of 1,016 regular-season and playoff goals.
If Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky’s record, he’ll likely do it in the only jersey he’s ever known as he returns to the Capitals for a 22nd season. The Russian was drafted by the club first overall in 2004 and led it to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Along the way, Ovechkin has also won the Calder Trophy, nine Rocket Richard Trophies, three Hart Trophies and a Conn Smythe.
Now, the accolades are set to keep piling up.
Ovechkin’s return marks the fourth major move up front this season for Washington, which also made big trades for St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou and Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch while signing longtime Columbus Blue Jackets centre Boone Jenner in free agency.
“Alex has proven year after year that he can produce offensively and that he is still the driving force of our team. We are excited about the additions we made this off-season to bolster our lineup and make our group more competitive. We believe that our roster is well balanced and will help create more opportunities for Alex to create offence and score goals. In addition, his presence in our locker room — especially with our young players — will continue to be an enormous boost for our organization and will help shape our team culture for years to come,” general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement.
The Capitals missed the playoffs this past season just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, but appear set on climbing back up the standings once more.