Opinion

Ovechkin Puts Team First With New Contract

(Caps Outsider)

It came as no surprise that Alex Ovechkin signed a five-year contract with the Capitals, but the number that was slightly more surprising was the $47.5 million, about $9.5 million a year, less money than he had been making with his 13-year contract which paid him about $10 million a year. Ovi could have easily asked for $12 million a year for the next five years, and the Caps would have had to pay him.

Considering his age – he’ll be 36 soon – the Caps will have to do everything possible not to waste what will likely be the final seasons of his career. While we all want to see Ovi pass Wayne Gretzky on the all-time goal-scoring list, doing that without another Stanley Cup to celebrate – especially with more first or second-round exits – will be a wasted opportunity, and the new all-time NHL goal-scoring leader will certainly feel the same way. The Penguins, Blackhawks, Kings and Lightning have won multiple Cups in the Ovi era (not including Boston, which has been to three Finals), and it seems like a mistake that the Caps haven’t at least had one other appearance in the last 16 seasons.

With Ovi’s team-friendly salary (relatively speaking), he’s giving the Caps a chance – while not short-changing his personal achievements – to sign the players they need to make another Cup run. Of course, it’s more than just salaries that end up winning a Cup, but Ovi’s contract is at least a step in the right direction toward bringing another Stanley Cup back to Washington.

Ben Sumner

Ben Sumner is the editor of Capitals Outsider. He also works for The Washington Post and contributes there when he gets a scoop.

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