"Now he can calmly aim at the Gretzky record": Ovechkin extended his contract with "Washington" for five years

The story of striker Alexander Ovechkin's signing with the National Hockey League (NHL) Washington Capitals has come to an end.

The Russian has signed a new five-year agreement for a total of $ 47.5 million.Thus, on average, he will receive $ 9.5 million per year.

Journalist Pierre Lebrune gave details of the deal.

According to him, in the first three seasons, the forward will receive a salary of $ 1 million, as well as bonuses - $ 4, $ 9 and $ 11.5 million. In the next two years, the salary will increase to $ 5 million, and bonuses will be $ 6 and $ 4 million, respectively.

The conclusion of a new contract with the striker was appreciated by the general manager of the Capitals Brian McLellan.

“Alex is the face of our club, he is committed to the organization and the city.

He personifies everything that has to do with our franchise.

We are extremely happy that he will play in the form of the Capitals for another five years, "McLellan quotes the official website of the NHL.

Ovechkin joined Washington in 2005 and scored a double in his first NHL regular season game.

In 2010, the Russian became the captain of the capital team, and in 2018 led it to the first Stanley Cup in history.

The Russian has achieved even more impressive success in terms of personal statistics.

He is currently the sixth best scorer in NHL history.

On account of his 730 goals, which is 164 less than the record holder Wayne Gretzky.

Many experts believe that the hockey player is capable of conquering this achievement, for which now he will have five more seasons.

At the same time, he is already the most productive representative of Russia in the North American League, with a total of 1320 points.

In addition, the forward became a nine-time winner of the title of the best sniper of the regular season.

That is why Ovechkin is not just a captain for Washington, but a real idol who brought the team the most significant achievements of recent years.

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis also appreciated his contribution.

“Alex is a world-class athlete who not only helped the team achieve its main goal of winning the Stanley Cup, but also inspired a whole generation of fans and young hockey players with the love of the game.

Ovechkin's influence on DC hockey extends far beyond Capital One Arena.

Without a doubt, his performance on the ice sparked countless hockey fans and inspired even more young athletes to start playing on their own, ”said Leonsis.

At the same time, the contract with Ovechkin was signed a day before the opening of the free agent market.

For a long period of time, there were a lot of speculations about the future career of the 36-year-old Russian - right up to his return to his native Dynamo.

The lack of specifics noticeably worried the fans, who did not want the team, which was already in an unstable position, to lose its main star.

Back in mid-July, it was reported that it was too early to talk about the completion of the negotiations.

But then it became known that Washington had delayed the contract for a reason.

Thanks to this, Ovechkin became an unrestricted free agent, and the club was able to defend the rights to other hockey players in the expansion draft, scheduled for July 21.

Ovechkin himself gave vague comments about his future.

On the one hand, he did not deny the possibility of returning to the Continental Hockey League (KHL), on the other, he announced his desire to end his career at the Capitals and still conquer Gretzky's record.

But now an agreement has been reached, and the captain commented on the news with the capacious phrase "I'm coming back, Washington!"

and posted a photo of himself with a signed contract surrounded by his family.

I'M BACK DC !!!!!

# ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com / 7XQPfT6aZP

- Alex Ovechkin (@ ovi8) July 27, 2021

Despite the fact that the return of Ovechkin to the KHL has been postponed, Russia has reacted positively to the conclusion of a new agreement with Washington.

So, one of the first hockey players to congratulate the two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov.

“Now he can calmly aim at the Gretzky record.

Of course, we must say gratitude to the management of the Washington Capitals for the fact that they believe in him to the end, made it possible to play in his native club and achieve unthinkable goals and objectives together with the team.

All is well, 40 years is not the limit.

The most important thing for Alexander is to avoid injury, and we will enjoy his game for another five years, "- quotes the words of Fetisov" Championship ".

Alexander Kozhevnikov agreed with the opinion that the forward will be able to perform successfully for several more years.

He expressed the hope that the hockey player will end his career in Russia, although he suggested that this is still unlikely.

“Alexander definitely has a goal to conquer the Gretzky record. If the contract is for five years, then this is quite realistic, there is enough time. If Ovechkin continues in the same spirit, he will be able to do it. It would be desirable that at the end of the contract Alexander returned to play in Russia, but this is unlikely, still 40 years old ... Or maybe he will decide to play for another two years. It would be great for popularizing hockey, for our youth, fans, ”added Kozhevnikov.