Washington Capitals forwards Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson are hoping that this coming season won't be the last for captain Alex Ovechkin.
Wilson and Strome spoke to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger at the Smilezone Celebrity Golf Tournament about Ovechkin and his future as the 39-year-old enters the final year of the five-year extension he signed back in 2021, saying they wouldn't put it past Ovechkin to stick around a while longer.
"Look, we don't know if it's going to be his final year," Strome said. "You kind of see what he said a couple of days ago, that it's preposterous that people would talk about that this will be his last year... It's his decision, obviously, but I wouldn't rule anything out. I certainly hope (he stays)."
There has been some uncertainty surrounding Ovechkin's future following speculation surrounding the final year of his contract, including a marketing email sent in error that referred to the upcoming season as being Ovechkin's last.
However, Washington said he has made no decision, and Ovechkin also shut down the talk by calling it "pure nonsense" and again stressing he'll take the time to consider all of his options. He also told The Hockey News in February that as long as he loves the game, he will continue to play.
Tom Wilson echoed Strome, explaining to Zeisberger that "you can never doubt" Ovechkin.
"Who knows what he's going to do? I mean, if it's his last year, I don't know. You can never doubt the guy," Wilson said. "He could play two, three more years. He's a guy who loves to score. He loves hte game of hockey."
Ovechkin is coming off a historic season where, despite missing 16 games with a broken leg, he surged offensively and scored 44 goals, the third-most in the league, to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. He is currently in Russia preparing for the upcoming campaign, which will mark his 21st in the NHL.