Alex Ovechkin opens up about being traded this off-season

Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals admits being traded away by his team is something that has definitely crossed his mind

If anyone had an up-and-down season in the NHL, it's Alexander Ovechkin. The NHL superstar, who continues to chase Wayne Gretzky for most goals ever in the league, had a really tough start to the 2023-24 season, scoring just 8 goals before the All-Star break. Then, Ovechkin basically put the Capitals on his back to get them into the playoffs, only to lose in the first round without putting up much a fight.

With Washington officially eliminated from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ovechkin is now looking back on the season. Seeing the Capitals trading Ovechkin over the offseason seems almost unthinkable, bit it isn't for the player himself. Asked about his lack of offense in the first half of the season, "The Great 8" said he really expected to be traded.





Despite his resurgence in the second half of the 2023-24, Ovechkin failed to hit the scoresheet at all in Washington's series against the New York Rangers. There's no doubt at just 41 goals away from breaking what was thought to be an unbreakable record in the NHL, the Capitals want Ovi to be with them when he finally does it. But are they willing to miss the playoffs or go out in the first round to allow the now 38-year-old to do it?



Ovechkin still has another two seasons remaining on his current contract with the Capitals, more than enough time to establish a new record for goals in the league. However, it remains to be seen whether Washington is willing to sacrifice winning for that to happen.