Alex Ovechkin has signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal to return to the Washington Capitals, it was announced Tuesday.
“I’M BACK DC!!!!!” he wrote on Twitter, with a source close to Ovechkin saying he wanted to pay homage on social media to Michael Jordan’s famous “I’m back” statement.
The 35-year-old has played his entire career with the Capitals since they took him with the first overall pick in the 2004 draft. After leading the NHL in goals for three straight seasons, Ovechkin had a team-high 24 goals in 45 games this shortened season, tying for 13th in the league.
He missed an NHL-career-high 11 games this year, including four while in COVID-19 protocol and seven because of a groin injury.
Ovechkin represented himself in negotiations, just as he did for his prior deal — a 13-year, $124 million contract signed in 2008.
“Alex is a world-class athlete who will forever be regarded not only for leading the team to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup, but also for inspiring the next generation of fans and youth players,” CEO Ted Leonsis said in a statement.
