Brian MacLellan’s final offseason as Washington Capitals general manager ended on Tuesday as the team officially introduced Chris Patrick as the new GM at District E.
During his 10 years as general manager, MacLellan helped guide the Capitals to a 449-244-88 record (.631 winning percentage), the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship, and two Presidents’ Trophies as the league’s best regular-season team. Part of that success came from forming an honest and open partnership with Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin.
From telling the Capitals’ captain about the team’s trade deadline plans ahead of time to discussing the direction of the team, MacLellan has made no secret about his communications with the greatest player in franchise history.
That dialogue continued this offseason when MacLellan revealed shortly after free agency started that Ovechkin had sent an approving thumbs-up emoji after the Capitals acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
According to MacLellan, this is normal for Ovechkin.
“I [talked to him] more before we went into free agency,” MacLellan said to Monumental Sports Network after the press conference ended. “You know, ‘What do you think [we’re] going to be able to do?’ Had a general discussion there. Then more texting back and forth as we accomplished some stuff. He’s a big emoji guy, so we got more emojis than texts or dialogue. So then I talked to him to explain Chris is taking over, and I’ll still be around.”
Ovechkin is vacationing with his family in Turkey after concluding his 19th season in the NHL. Nastya Ovechkina has posted videos of her husband playing beach volleyball, swimming, and watching soccer with the family on her Instagram Story.
As for who will play with Ovechkin at center next season, MacLellan distanced himself from that decision.
“[Spencer] Carbery will have ideas on that,” MacLellan said. “I think he’ll try all of them. I think it’s worked with Strome to a certain extent. Obviously, Dubois is going to get a chance with Ovi. See if there’s a chemistry there, and they’ll go from there after that.”
One thing’s for sure though. If the Capitals can find the right combination for Ovechkin to score 42 more goals, he’ll be able to use the 🐐 emoji as much as he wants.
