Alex Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension with the Capitals on Tuesday, likely keeping the forward in Washington for the remainder of his NHL career.
There was little doubt Ovechkin would return to the Capitals, even as he became an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The two sides had tabled discussions in the buildup to last season, but Ovechkin had said previously the only two teams he’d want to play for are Washington and Dynamo Moscow — the KHL team he began his career with.
“Alex is a world-class athlete who will forever be regarded not only for leading the team to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, but also for inspiring the next generation of fans and youth players,” Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder and CEO Ted Leonsis said in a statement.