Alex Ovechkin is taking the trade of John Carlson hard.
Friday, after the Washington Capitals held a full practice, Ovechkin spoke to the media and admitted losing his teammate of the past 17 seasons was difficult to stomach.
“It’s obviously a sad day,” Ovechkin said. “Probably the toughest day in my career, I’m talking about personal-wise. It sucks. It’s sad.”
Ovechkin said that he found out about the trade in the morning, just like Carlson, and that he called him shortly after.
“I think he has to come here and take his gear, so I hope to see him,” Ovechkin said.
The Capitals captain was ready for potential changes, especially with the team so far out of the playoff picture, but the move of Carlson seemed something he couldn’t fathom.
“I was in shock, in shock mode,” Ovechkin said. “Me and my wife was kind of like, ‘Wow.’ Like I tell my kids, ‘Carly get traded,’ and they were like, ‘What?’ It’s just a shock.
“We’re very close and it’s hard,” he added. “It’s hard. But nothing I can say.”
Carlson, an alternate captain and part of the Capitals’ leadership committee since 2019-20, helped guide the franchise with Ovechkin to its first Stanley Cup in 2018. Carlson also assisted on 162 of Ovechkin’s goals, second-most to Nicklas Backstrom’s 279.
What did he mean to the organization?
“Everything,” Ovechkin said. “We’ve been together since his Day 1 on Caps and we’re growing up together as a person, families. Yeah, it’s hard. It’s hard and a sad day.
“He’s obviously the best defenseman in this franchise’s whole history, leader. Obviously, an unbelievable man and a great friend for all of us. It’s hard. It’s a hard day.”
As for if Carlson’s exit potentially affects his own future moving forward, Ovechkin replied, “I don’t know. We’ll see I’m still here, so we’ll see. We’ll see what’s going to happen, but, yeah, it’s a hard one.”
