Alex Ovechkin's teammates reveal never-before-seen personal details regarding his retirement
Photo credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Alex Ovechkin found out about his own supporting cast the same way fans did. His teammates found out about his return in a unique way.
The Washington Capitals had already spent June rebuilding without him.
Dylan Strome told NHL.com he was on a golf course when a friend broke the news, then checked his phone to find Ovechkin's message in the team group chat.
"I remember checking my own phone after my buddy told me and saw that Ovi had sent a text to our group letting us know he was coming back and that he was pumped."
- Dylan Strome
- Dylan Strome
That story has run everywhere as a chemistry moment. The sequencing is the actual story.
General manager Chris Patrick acquired Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on June 23 and Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres on June 24.
Boone Jenner signed a four-year, $23 million deal on July 1. Ovechkin re-signed on July 2.
The roster was finished before the captain committed
Every one of those moves was made without knowing whether the NHL's all-time goal leader would return.
Tuch said publicly that his decision had nothing to do with Ovechkin, and that Washington's core was strong either way.
That is a front office insuring itself.
Patrick built a team that could survive a retirement announcement, then got the captain anyway.
Why a $4.25 million captain changes the math
Ovechkin's one-year deal carries a $4.25 million cap hit after he scored 32 goals in 82 games at age 40.
That is bonus production layered onto a forward group that already added three 30-goal-caliber scorers.
Spencer Carbery, extended in June, now coaches a roster where Ovechkin does not have to carry the offense.
Strome, who posted 58 points in 80 games, called it Stanley Cup or bust.
The Capitals finished 43-30-9 with 95 points and missed the playoffs by three. Only Ovechkin and Tom Wilson reached 30 goals.
Every team facing an aging franchise icon should study this order of operations. Build the replacement first, then let the legend opt in.
Washington did not gamble on a decision it could not control.
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