{"id":553724,"date":"2026-04-16T08:31:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/553724\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T08:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:31:45","slug":"four-reasons-ovi-will-be-back-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/553724\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Reasons Ovi Will Be Back Next Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the Caps beat the Blue Jackets Tuesday, all anyone seems to want to talk about is if that was Alex Ovechkin\u2019s last game. However, it wasn\u2019t. Do I have inside information? No. Am I dreaming and just want Ovi to get a fairytale ending? Perhaps. But I don\u2019t think that the Great Eight will retire after just missing the playoffs with a team that is on the upswing. There are a lot of reasons he should want to come back. <\/p>\n

Here are the top four reasons Ovechkin comes back to play of the Caps for the 2026-27 season. <\/p>\n

1. The Capitals Have Plenty of Cap Space Next Season<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/p>\n

Nov 26, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; General manager Chris Patrick Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Capitals are projected to have an estimated $32 million in cap space. After resigning McMichael and Ovi, the Caps would have about $17 million left to fill out their roster. That leaves more than enough to add a right shot defenseman (John Carlson anyone?) and a top six forward, as well as complimentary pieces to get younger and faster, maybe with an inexpensive signing or prospect promotion. <\/p>\n

2. The Caps Have the Assets to Make a Big Trade\"A<\/p>\n

Feb 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Austin Matthews Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

GM Chris Patrick has openly stated that the team would like to add a top six winger. The John Carlson trade was tough to accept, but those extra picks give the team the ammunition to go out and find a top line pass first center they need to fix the power play. Players like Austin Matthews, Brady Tkacuhk, and Jason Robertson are rumored to be on the trading block. Bringing in a player like one of those guys to add to the forward ranks immediately makes the Capitals a contender.<\/p>\n

3. Ovi Needs Eleven Goals for All-Time Record \"great<\/p>\n

Mar. 23, 1994; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Kings Wayne Gretzky sets NHL scoring mark. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro\/USA TODAY NETWORK | Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWO<\/p>\n

Ovechkin has scored more regular season goals than anyone else after passing Wayne Gretzky last April. However, Gretzky has more goals combined goals regular season and playoffs with 1016. Ovi has 1006 and needs just ten more to tie. While he doesn\u2019t need to prove anything else in the league, I can\u2019t imagine he would just walk away eleven short of owning another goal scoring record.<\/p>\n

4. Washington Will Be a Contender in 2026-27\"Past<\/p>\n

Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) talks with Capitals left wing Ilya Protas (62) Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Capitals Reboot that began in the Summer of 2024 has positioned the team to take the next step in 2026-27. Justin Sourdif, Cole Hutson, and Ryan Leonard have so far shown they belong. Logan Thompson was great in the net. The veteran core is strong and will only get better as the young players improve and any trades and signings this summer will strengthen the roster. The Caps should be much better next season. <\/p>\n

Ovechkin said after the final game of the season Tuesday night, \u201cI hope it\u2019s not my last game.\u201d That doesn\u2019t sound like a guy who is hanging them up. Some players retired after playing for bad teams without a fairytale ending. Ovi doesn\u2019t have to do that. With a deeper, more experienced roster in the Fall, the Great Eight could take one last crack at the Cup and his fairytale ending to play his final game in June..<\/p>\n

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