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ESPN sparks Alex Ovechkin retirement speculation after latest interview
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
ESPN has sparked speculation that this could be the last year of Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, the top goal scorer in NHL history, in the League.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin became the leading goal scorer in NHL history nearly a full year ago, passing Wayne Gretzky's mark in dramatic fashion against the divisional foe New York Islanders.
But he and the Capitals were knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes, and they are fighting and clawing for every point possible to avoid missing the playoffs this year.
But Ovechkin, who is now 40 years old and a pending UFA, could very well decide to call it quits after this year.
A recent report from ESPN is sparking speculation that Ovechkin could be done in the NHL when this season comes to a close, as commentator Steve Levy says they were told not to ask him about his future.
Steve Levy says in ABC's pregame show that they were specifically told not to ask Alex Ovechkin about his future in their pregame interview.
"We were asked not to get into if this was the last season and the final few games." - Ian Oland
"We were asked not to get into if this was the last season and the final few games." - Ian Oland
So far this year, Ovechkin has 51 points (24G, 27A) in 67 games played.
Alex Ovechkin Was Very Upset By The Trade Of His Longtime Teammate John Carlson To The Ducks Last Week
In a move that stunned Capitals fans everywhere, longtime defenseman John Carlson, who won a Stanley Cup with Ovechkin in 2018 and was one of his longest-tenured teammates, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
Ovechkin responded to the trade by saying it was probably the saddest day of his NHL career.
Now that his longtime teammate and friend doesn't play for the Capitals anymore, all it did is raise further speculation that it could be his last year in the NHL.
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Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
MARS 14|99 ANSWERS ESPN sparks Alex Ovechkin retirement speculation after latest interview Is this Alex Ovechkin's last year in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 68 | 68.7 % |
| No | 31 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||