Caps Daily Brew: Ovechkin Final Season Email Not True, Capitals Updates & Burning Questions
Here's your daily dose of Capitals headlines.
Another great day, Washington Capitals fans.
The offseason continues, but I got to spend my birthday in the best way yesterday with some family and friends, hockey, great news and of course, at Capital One Arena checking out the newest renovations.
I’ve missed going to the rink, though my dog’s thrilled that I’ve been home. I have some more content and stories that I’m working on that I’m looking forward to sharing over the next couple of days.
For now, though, let’s get down to it with today’s Caps Daily Brew.
Washington Capitals News, Notes & Links
- A corporate sales email went out to Capitals fans today saying this will be Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season. Got word from the Capitals that this is not accurate, and they then made a further statement clarifying it was an error.
Neither Washington nor Ovechkin has officially announced anything confirming this, though he intends to play out the final year of his contract. At breakdown day, president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan even said he wouldn’t rule anything out when it came to No. 8 regarding a potential extension.
- That said, be wary of clickbait in these times of the offseason. The news cycle is slow, understandably, and some platforms will take advantage of that by trying to create outrageous headlines. One that made the rounds on Facebook on Wednesday claimed that Ovechkin would be playing in Russia this upcoming season. The report isn’t true and again, nothing has been announced, except Ovechkin saying he intends to play out his contract and the Capitals expecting him to be back.
When he is ready to announce what’s next, he will. He returned to Moscow, but that is routine for the 39-year-old every offseason.
- Still, as he pushes 40 and as the Capitals prepare for the next era without him, expect he and coach Spencer Carbery to discuss what exactly his role will be next year and if his minutes will start to cut back. I discuss that, John Carlson’s future, Anthony Beauvillier’s status and more in the second part of our mailbag.
- Moving on to arena news. Here’s a closer look at the renovations going on at Capital One Arena and more on what the venue and surrounding area will look like, what will be ready by the start of the season and the differences you’ll see.
- Have some exciting website news that I’ll share later today. But just keep your eyes open.