We Now Know The Promise Made to Alex Ovechkin By Capitals Owner Theo Leonsis

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Aaron Itovitch
December 14, 2022 (6:05 PM)

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When Alexander Ovechkin signed a 5-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals, a contract that would take him to 41-years-old, it looked like the team was still committing to an aging core.

While things appeared to be changing, and the Capitals seemed to be entering a rebuild, bombshells dropped that Ovechkin wouldn't put up with a tear-down of the team.

In the midst of trade rumours, Capitals owner, Theo Leonsis set the record straight, explaining a promise he made to the Great 8 to keep the team competitive for the duration of his tenure with the Caps.

I'm sure there'll be an influx of some young players, but we're not gonna rebuild the team. To me, a rebuild is when you look the players, the coaches, the fans in the eye and say we're gonna be really, really bad. And if we were really, really bad, I don't think Alex would break the record.

He's very cognizant of doing this the right way. Alex said, �I'm not gonna be a third-line guy playing 8-10 minutes a game (where you) trot me out on the power play and let me score my goals. That's not what I want to do. Promise me you'll keep the team competitive (and) a playoff team.' And he promised to come in shape all the time and not be fixated on the record but be fixated on winning another Stanley Cup.

With Ovechkin hitting 800 goals last night, things are looking good for his goal to best Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record.

Hopefully, in the search of that record, Ovechkin gets to lift the cup over his head one more time.

Source: Blade of Steel