Hockey

Alex Ovechkin Explains Why He Likes Capitals Offseason Moves

Published: Aug 12, 2024, 5:42 AM
3 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2025, 11:53 AM
Fact checked by:
Marco D'Amico
Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin texted the Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan a thumbs-up emoji for acquiring forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. In July, Dubois was traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. But this was not the end for MacLellan. He also got a goaltender, Logan Thompson, and a defenseman, Jakob Chychrun. He also signed blueliner Matt Roy and forwards Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh in free agency.

"Compared to the last season, we have significantly strengthened the roster," Ovechkin said exclusively to RG on August 10th. "More experienced players have joined us. Again, this is business. It was very difficult when Washington traded Orlov [defenseman Dmitry Orlov went to Boston and then moved to Carolina]. Then they traded Kuzy, who moved to the Hurricanes. We lived close to each other [in Washington', our families were friends, and we always stuck together."

"But I repeat, this is big business, and you can do nothing about it. Well, what could I do here? I liked these trades. Skilled guys joined us. That's why I sent a thumbs-up [to MacLellan]."

Washington made the playoffs last season but lost to the New York Rangers in the first round in four games. Since 2018, when the Capitals won their first Stanley Cup, they have not advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

"By the end of the season, everyone saw that we had a good, hard-working team," Ovechkin said. "We made the playoffs, although no one believed it. And there, we lacked depth. In the series with the New York Rangers, we played in two lines, you might say. Injuries started to happen again, and achieving something was very difficult."

Ovechkin is 42 goals from passing Wayne Gretzky with two years left on his contract. He had eight goals in his first 43 games of the last season but then scored 23 goals in 36 games.

"I didn't have any panic," Ovechkin noted. "We had a new coach, and we had many injured players before the start of the season. We lost Becky [Niklas Backstrom)], Kuzy [Evgeny Kuznetsov] was injured. It is clear that we needed to find some chemistry and build mutual understanding. I hope the next season will be more successful".

Head of News Department
Sergey Demidov is Head of News at RG.org and has covered global sports since 2007. His work spans the Olympics, FIFA World Cups, IOC events, and Stanley Cup Finals. A former sports department deputy chief editor at Gazeta.Ru and TASS News Agency, and current senior editor at NHL.com/ru, Sergey has interviewed stars like Alex Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr, former WADA and FIFA presidents Craig Reedy and Sepp Blatter, and coaches like Fabio Capello. He specializes in hockey and publishes in English and Russian.
Interests:
NHL
EPL
FIFA
UCL
NFL
NBA
BWF
Hiking
Reading
Movies
Food

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Hockey
Interview
Aaron Ekblad Stays With Panthers On Discount Deal To Chase More Cups

Aaron Ekblad’s $48.8 million extension with the Florida Panthers was driven by his pursuit of a three-peat as the franchise looks to cement its dynasty.

6
08/22/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Aaron Ekblad Stays With Panthers On Discount Deal To Chase More Cups
Hockey
News Report
NHL Source: Kraken, Canucks Circle Back on Marco Rossi Trade

Could the Vancouver Canucks or Seattle Kraken be a trade match with the Minnesota Wild when it comes to restricted free agent center Marco Rossi?

5
08/21/2025
James Murphy
James Murphy
NHL Source: Kraken, Canucks Circle Back on Marco Rossi Trade
Hockey
Interview
Quiet NHL Free Agency "Seen as Norm" Going Forward, Says Executive

An NHL executive believes quiet free agency periods, with stars re-signing instead of testing the market, are becoming the norm.

5
08/21/2025
Jim Biringer
Jim Biringer
 Quiet NHL Free Agency "Seen as Norm" Going Forward, Says Executive
Hockey
Interview
Emotional Fedorov Says “I Was Always a Red Wing” as No. 91 Heads to Rafters

Sergei Fedorov says Detroit’s decision to retire his No. 91 “took his breath away” as the Red Wings prepare to honor him during their centennial season.

7
08/20/2025
Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Emotional Fedorov Says “I Was Always a Red Wing” as No. 91 Heads to Rafters
Prev
...
Next
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.