Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin says there is no rush in negotiating a new contact with the team. He believes that there will be «plenty of time» during the season to have both sides agree to a contract extension. The 35-year-old says there is no need to worry if a deal isn't reached before training camp ends.
Ovechkin is beginning the final season of his 13-year, $124 million contract he signed back in 2008. If a deal isn't reached for some reason, he would be set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
"I don't think we're in a rush," Ovechkin said after Washington's first practice of training camp Monday. "I think we understand everything that's happening right now, so whenever it's done, it's done. If it's not done, we're going to talk and we'll see."
The Russian superstar had yet another great season last year, tallying 48 goals, which was good enough to tie for the league lead with David Pastrnak. Ovechkin currently sits 8th in goals in NHL history with 706 goals. He is only 2 goals behind Mike Gartner for 7th and 188 behind Wayne Gretzky for the NHL record of 894 goals.
Ovechkin does not plan to use an agent just as he did in 2008, but as of right now he just wants to focus on playing hockey.
"I think for me, the most important thing is just to play the game right now," Ovechkin said. "Of course, it's one year. I've been in this position 13 years ago, right, when I had to sign a deal and worry about this kind of stuff. But right now I'm 35, I understand everything and I'm kind of an experienced guy."
"Of course, you're going to think about it when it's getting closer, but right now we're in training camp and the most important thing right now is go back on the ice and get your body moving, feel the game, and after that we will talk."
The Capitals open their regular season on January 14 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Source: nhl.com
