Montreal Canadiens: Could Alex Ovechkin be Heading to Montreal?

Six years ago, the Washington Capitals were facing the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. In an interview, Alex Ovechkin said he loved playing in Montreal and that if he wasn’t in Washington, he’d be here.

Could you imagine Ovechkin playing with the Montreal Canadiens? That would be amazing.

Now, let’s skip to a few days ago. The Capitals lost Game 5 of the series against the Boston Bruins and got eliminated from the Playoffs, while the Bruins advanced to the second round.

Ovechkin’s contract ended the second the Capitals’ playoff run did, which means he could go anywhere. Will he get an extension with Washington? Will he go play for another NHL team? Will he even stay in the NHL? Right at this moment, it could be anybody’s guess.

But, of course, he said he would love to re-sign with the Capitals and retire a Cap.

Ovechkin had a 13-year contract worth $124 million, or about $9.5 million/year. In his first six years, he received $9 million, and the following seven years, $10 million. His contract also included a modified no-trade clause, which means he had a list of 10 teams he could not be traded for.

I know he’s most likely to continue with Washington and that the chance of him playing for the Montreal Canadiens is low, very low, but it’s a possibility, and I can’t help but wonder what he would bring to the team.

Alex Ovechkin’s Stats

Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004 by the Capitals and has been with them since, which is why there’s a big chance he stays with them, especially as their captain.

In all of his NHL career, he has played 1,197 regular-season games, in which he has amassed 730 goals and 590 assists, for a total of 1,320 points. That’s 1.1 points per game over 13 years.

He has played 141 games in the playoffs, racking up 71 goals and 64 assists for 135 points. That’s 0.96 points per playoff game over a stretch of 13 years. Again, that’s incredible. The Great Eight has been showing everyone why he’s one of the best in the league and the world, and any team would be lucky to have him.

Imagine if this team was the Montreal Canadiens.

Alex Ovechkin With the Montreal Canadiens

With many players becoming free agents at the end of the season, it could be a possibility for Montreal to sign the Russian left-winger. His skills, experience, and leadership would all be great additions for the Canadiens. He could also mentor younger players like Alexander Romanov and Cole Caufield, whose snipe has been compared to Ovechkin’s.

A line consisting of Ovechkin, Nick Suzuki, and Caufield would be an absolute threat. Another possibility would be Ovechkin, Phillip Danault, and Brendan Gallagher – that is if Tomas Tatar leaves the Canadiens, or if he plays on another line. No matter who Ovechkin would play with, he would make better, but playing with younger guys would be ideal, as he’d be able to show leadership, and help them grow and learn.

Something that has been lacking in Montreal is helping youth develop in their own way, meaning not trying to change their game to “fit” the “Montreal style” of hockey, but rather use their play to make the team better. And Ovechkin could help in that aspect, especially for similar young guys, like Caufield. He would also be a huge help to the Canadiens’ offence, which has been struggling a lot lately, but that’s another story for another time.

The Great Eight can’t make all the difference for a struggling Canadiens team, but he could be the starting piece that could eventually lead to bigger changes. Changes that should have happened a while ago. Changes that could make Montreal a Cup contender.