Alex Ovechkin has made his way back to Russia as initially planned. Following the conclusion of his season, the pending unrestricted free agent intended to have his end-of-year discussions with the Washington Capitals before traveling home. On locker clean-out day, the veteran forward expressed confidence that he had not played his final NHL game. Ovechkin stated that his decision to return would hinge on the team’s ability to make the playoffs and contend for a championship, emphasizing this as his primary motivation, even over family or health considerations.
Separately, the Anaheim Ducks are facing a critical offseason with substantial salary cap flexibility, projected to have around $40.5 million available. However, they have several key restricted free agents who will require new contracts, including forwards Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, along with defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. The team also needs to address the future of three veteran defensemen who are pending UFAs: John Klingberg, Radko Gudas, and Jacob Trouba. It appears unlikely that Radko Gudas will be re-signed.
The Ducks are in a position to make significant moves to accelerate their development. Management is focused on securing long-term deals for Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson promptly, avoiding the drawn-out negotiations experienced with Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, and Jamie Drysdale in the past. Furthermore, the possibility of a blockbuster offseason trade for a star player should not be discounted as Anaheim aims to take the next step. Players like Auston Matthews, Jason Robertson, Robert Thomas, and potentially Brady Tkachuk are mentioned as potential trade targets on the market.
English Translation:
Alex Ovechkin has already returned to Russia. The plan was for the pending unrestricted free agent to have his end-of-year meetings with the Washington Capitals in mid-May and then head back to Russia. On locker clean-out day, the 40-year-old said that he was “pretty sure” he hadn’t played his final NHL game. “I’m not going to tell everything to you what I’m thinking, what the options are going to be. But, obviously, if I want to come back, it has to be a decision on, first of all, we’re going to make the playoffs and we have to fight for a Cup,” Ovechkin said. “That’s probably the biggest thing. Otherwise, if you take different scenarios, like family-wise, health-wise, but team-wise, this is the most important thing for me.”
A look at the keys to the offseason for the Anaheim Ducks. Projected cap space: $40.5 million. 2026 draft picks: 2nd, 3rd, 4th (PHI), 5th, 6th, 7th. They have a lot of salary cap space, but a list of RFAs who are going to eat a good chunk of that – forwards Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, and defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. They’ll also need to decide on a trio of their veteran, pending UFA defensemen – John Klingberg, Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba.
A big offseason trade for a star player shouldn’t be ruled out as they look to take the next step. Potentially on the trade market this offseason could be Auston Matthews, Jason Robertson, Robert Thomas, and maybe Brady Tkachuk.
