Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis spoke publicly this week about how difficult last season was for the team. Leonsis made these comments after Washington missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs and went on to make other additions, including a new deal for captain Alex Ovechkin. 

Washington did not make it to the playoffs last season; they had to watch other teams advance instead. Leonsis said that the experience was hard to sit and watch, and that was what pushed them to make a move this summer.

"Everyone felt empty last year, not making the playoffs. It just felt odd to be watching teams play and compete in the first round, and we were going to play golf," Leonsis said according to a post by Tarik El-Bashir on X. "So we all committed this offseason to 'Let's go for it. Let's meet greatness again.'"

Their disappointment from the last season is evident as it shaped the Capitals' offseason strategy. Leonsis mentioned general manager Chris Patrick's work to reshape the roster to prove that they are serious about standing in contention next season. 

"And with Alex being able to come back, and Chris being able to build a team that's probably our biggest, our strongest, our fastest, has the most depth that we've had certainly since Alex has been with the organization, it's very exciting and it's reignited, if you will, our ability to give our fan base hopes and dreams that this can be a great, great team and we can compete for a Cup," Leonsis said.

Leonsis also welcomed Ovechkin back directly on his X account after the signing became official. 

"Alex is back," Leonsis wrote. "From the day we drafted him, Ovi has played with unmatched passion, relentless drive, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates, our fans, and our city. The greatest goal scorer in NHL history isn't done writing his Capitals story. Neither are we. Let's chase another Cup together."

A Busy Offseason Around Ovechkin

The Capitals officially announced Ovechkin's new one-year contract on July 2, worth an average of $4.25 million.

The deal discussed in the article by the Olympics official site. includes a $1 million salary, a $3.25 million signing bonus, and a $4.75 million bonus for reaching 10 games played, giving him a chance to earn up to $9 million in total.

The extension will keep Ovechkin as the leading scorer with 929 career goals, with the Capitals for a 22nd season. 

Ovechkin captained Washington to its only Stanley Cup in 2018. He also led the team last season with 32 goals and 64 points while playing all 82 games. Alex also became the first player in NHL history to reach 900 regular-season goals. 

As the newer contracts arrive this offseason, the Capitals add forwards Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch through trades and sign free agents such as Boone Jenner, move Leonsis and Patrick.

All these new additions are a smaller part of the effort to add more support for the Captain to be able to contend for a championship again.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi