Washington Capitals GM Says Team Has Cap Space and Lineup Room for Ovechkin Return

Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick stated that the team still has both salary cap room and an open lineup spot available for captain Alex Ovechkin to return. Patrick made the comments following several major roster additions through recent trades and free agency.

Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, is an unrestricted free agent. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 929 goals has yet to decide if he will play a 22nd season. Ovechkin has previously said that his health and the team’s overall strength as a contender after missing the playoffs are key factors in his decision.

“He hasn’t made a decision yet. I think part of it was seeing where we are after today and that we’re trying to do as much as we can to improve the team,” Patrick told ESPN on Wednesday night.

The Capitals have been among the most active teams in the league this offseason. The team traded for St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou and later completed a sign-and-trade with the Buffalo Sabres to acquire winger Alex Tuch. Washington also added forwards Boone Jenner and Jonny Brodzinski, along with defensemen Justin Holl and Vincent Desharnais as free agency opened.

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These new players join a returning core that includes veteran Tom Wilson and rookie defenseman Cole Hutson. According to PuckPedia, Washington currently has 14 forwards under contract and just over $4.375 million in available cap space.

Patrick said the team’s series of acquisitions does not close the door for Ovechkin. He stated that Washington’s roster still has a place for him and that the team has maintained cap flexibility to accommodate the captain if he decides to rejoin.

“I think we can do something that would work for Alex based on conversations we had with him prior to him leaving,” Patrick said. “There are ways to get him the money that he needs because of his age and the kind of contracts you can do.”

Under NHL rules, players aged 35 or older can sign a one-year contract with performance-based bonuses. Patrick mentioned that Evgeni Malkin’s deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins could serve as a reference point. Malkin’s contract includes a $2.5 million base salary, a $3 million signing bonus, and $3.5 million in performance bonuses for a total potential payout of $9 million on a $5.5 million cap hit.

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“There are enough levers for us to pull. I think that we can do something that would work for him,” Patrick continued.

Ovechkin led Washington last season in goals with 32 and points with 64. Those totals came despite recording only five power-play goals, his lowest power-play output of his career. After the season, Ovechkin said he was “pretty sure” the final game of the campaign was not his last and mentioned that his children want him to continue playing.

During Washington’s busy roster movement, Patrick said he had not spoken directly with Ovechkin. However, head coach Spencer Carbery did reach out to Ovechkin following the team’s trade for Kyrou.

“He was excited, but he knew we were going to try to go out and do stuff and try to make the team better. We weren’t just sitting back and kind of letting things play out,” Patrick said.

Patrick said he intends to contact Ovechkin soon to discuss the potential of returning. “Now, I’m in a spot where I can give him a call here in the near future and we can talk,” he said. “We’ve done the big moves for the NHL club. We can talk about where we’re at and where his head’s at and if he does come back, what the contract looks like. So, I’m hoping we can have those conversations in the near future.”

When asked about his optimism regarding Ovechkin’s potential return for the 2026-27 season, Patrick turned the conversation toward the team’s offseason efforts so far. “He’s a competitor. He loves to win,” Patrick said. “So, I think what we’ve done definitely will help inform his decision on whether he wants to come back or not.”

The Capitals’ offseason additions, combined with their remaining cap space and open roster slot, appear to leave the door open for Ovechkin if he chooses to play another season. Patrick emphasized that the team is prepared contractually and structurally to accommodate a deal suited to the veteran’s age and status.

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