Alex Ovechkin enters his 20th NHL season on the precipice of significant NHL history.
“Times fly, what can I say?” Ovechkin said Thursday during the Capitals’ first day of on-ice Training Camp.
The Capitals captain sits 50 points away from the 1,600-point milestone, something only nine NHL players have ever accomplished, and is 42 goals from passing Wayne Gretzky (894) for first on the NHL’s all-time goals list. Through the first 19 seasons of his career, the Russian superstar scored 853 goals, led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup, and collected every major offensive NHL trophy.
Those are staggering Hockey Hall of Fame-worthy accomplishments, but Ovechkin admits he hasn’t taken a moment to reflect on his achievements or his place in history.
“Not really. I still have juice in my tank,” Ovechkin said, utilizing a saying from past Capitals’ bench boss Peter Laviolette. “So, when it’s time, I’m going to think about it, and I’m pretty sure we will. But right now, I’m looking forward to this year, and I’m excited. That give you motivation, give you energy, and give you all the kind of juice.”
Part of Ovechkin’s excitement is the Capitals’ acquisition of seven accomplished veterans, including top-line-capable centerman Pierre-Luc Dubois, forward Andrew Mangiapane, and offensive defenseman Jakob Chychrun. After having to put the team on his shoulders in the second half of last season to make the playoffs, Ovechkin should have much more help as the team transitions into the future and tries to improve from a minus-37 goal differential.
“I’m always saying it’s a business,” Ovechkin said. “Of course, you have good friends, but it’s a business. Of course, you want to have a solid team to be able to make the playoffs and try to win the Stanley Cup. The last few years we improve ourselves, but it was not enough, and I think everybody understand we need experienced guys who want to be part of it and I think they did a pretty good job.”
Ovechkin also called Dubois a “talented guy” with whom he was “going to have lots of talks” as camp progresses.
Ovechkin could have more time and space to score with a better supporting cast. And if the Capitals win more games, perhaps the winger could have even more empty-net opportunities. But scoring 42 goals and breaking Gretzky’s record this season is not something that Ovi wants to focus on. He thinks smaller, narrows in on the details, and lets the big things take care of themselves.
“I just have to do my job, you know?” Ovechkin said. “Of course, without goals, you’re not going to win the games, but right now it’s the most important thing for us to find the line combinations because it’s new guys. It’s basically half the team that’s new. It’s new linemates, new teammates, so you have to use that time for not thinking about goals or something else. You just have to think about, ‘OK, what’s going to work for us to get success?'”
A “nicked-up” Ovechkin began Day 1 of camp centered by Dylan Strome, his primary running mate from last season. When the two are firing on all cylinders, they have a “simple” relationship: “He just give me the puck and I score goals.”
He also lined up some on the right side — something he’s only done in his career with former Capitals head coach Adam Oates over a decade ago — in an effort to try and find new and creative ways to light the lamp.
“Every year it’s harder and harder to score,” Ovechkin said. “Teams play differently. Goalies play differently. So, we’re just going to try to do our best to score goals, win games, and do all that kind of stuff.
“Every part of hockey right now is changing. You can see six years ago some of the guys don’t even make a team, but right now they’re on the top lines. So, how I said, everything is changing right now, so you just have to adjust to it, be smart and, most important thing, be healthy because if you get injured it’s harder and harder to play.”
