- Tom Wilson wants Alex Ovechkin back for a 22nd season in Washington
- Wilson called Ovechkin to talk it over and caught him on vacation in Turkey
- Read below for Wilson’s full take on the captain’s future
Tom Wilson wants Alex Ovechkin back.
The Capitals forward made that clear at a taping of “The Price Is Right Tonight” on Wednesday, telling NHL.com he hopes his longtime captain suits up for a 22nd NHL season.
Wilson said he reached out to get a read on Ovechkin’s plans and learned the 40-year-old was already unplugged for the summer.
“I called him the other day just to pick his mind on things and he is in Turkey on vacation right now,” Wilson said. “So I said, ‘We will talk hockey later. Enjoy it. It’s well-deserved time off with your family.’”
Ovechkin is a pending unrestricted free agent who has spent all 21 of his seasons in Washington. He sits atop the all-time goals list with 929, and Wilson has been his teammate for 13 of those years.
Part of the sell is the roster taking shape around him. Washington moved fast once the offseason opened, bringing in Jordan Kyrou from St. Louis:
Then came Alex Tuch, landed in a sign-and-trade with Buffalo:
Wilson talked about what the captain means inside the room.
“He’s the best, he’s truly the best. Such a great guy, such a fun guy, such a huge part of our team,” Wilson said. “So we will see. He gets to do whatever the heck he wants and he gets to do it however he wants to do it because that’s what legends get to do.”
There’s no sign the production is fading. Ovechkin led the Capitals in goals (32) and points (64) this past season while playing all 82 games. He turns 41 on Sept. 17.
Wilson doesn’t expect age to change much of anything.
“As long as he is around, he is going to be ‘Ovi,’” Wilson said. “The hunger, the passion, he wants to score goals more than anybody.”
Ovechkin has said he’ll settle his future this summer once the vacation wraps. Until then, Wilson is left hoping the next phone call goes his way.
