The Capitals captain discusses the Capitals' trade deadline approach, parting ways with Kuznetsov and more.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — For Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Friday was a difficult day. He had to say goodbye to longtime friend and countrymate Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round pick, while his team opted to pass on adding with the team sitting five points out of a playoff spot.
Ovechkin said it was hard to part ways with Kuznetsov, who had spent all 11 years of his career in D.C. while running into some off-ice issues and struggles with consistency along the way.
“It’s tough to see that happen," Ovechkin said. "Big part of the team, great friend of mine. It's tough, sad day."
The 38-year-old called Kuznetsov to wish him good luck with his new organization, and though it's not the circumstances that Ovechkin wanted, he thinks that Kuznetsov will benefit from a change of scenery.
"Yeah, I hope he's gonna be better, I hope he's gonna get fresh start," Ovechkin said. "I wish him luck."
After Kuznetsov's departure, there are just five members of the 2018 Stanley Cup team remaining.
"It's sad, but we understand it's a business," Ovechkin said. "Us as hockey players, our job to go out there and show the best that we can do and GM's job is to do the best he do."
With Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha and Joel Edmundson departing, Washington has turned to its younger players like Hendrix Lapierre, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Alex Alexeyev to take on bigger roles, something that Ovechkin is excited to see.
"Yeah it's good for them, you know? They gonna have ice time, they gonna have experience. It's good for the future."
As for the Capitals' deadline approach, Ovechkin understands the situation and why general manager Brian MacLellan took the approach that he did, but he still hoped that his team might add a piece to help with the playoff run.
"I'm hoping every year that something's gonna happen, I hope every year we're gonna be in a playoff spot, like previous years," Ovechkin said. "But how I said, our job is to get ready for the next game and we'll see what's gonna happen. And I hope next year we're gonna be better... I'm pretty sure (MacLellan) knows what to do."