Sammi’s Daily Mix: Looking At Capitals’ Cap Situation, Great 8 Talks New Deal

It’s finally Friday, and we’re entering Day 3 of NHL Free Agency. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals took care of quite a few outstanding items on their to-do list, including re-signing Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was all smiles as he spoke yesterday about his contract extension alongside Ted Leonsis, Dick Patrick and Brian MacLellan on Thursday.

Let’s go over all the latest news and notes across in D.C. and across the league.

Capitals Links

• From eating cantaloupes non-stop at the 2004 NHL Draft to transforming a franchise and climbing the all-time goals list, Ovechkin is ready for more after signing a five-year extension. Here’s more on what he had to say about chasing the goal record and the end of his career, as well as quite a few interesting tidbits from his time in the NHL. (Washington Hockey Now)
• The only outstanding item left on the Capitals offseason to-do list is Ilya Samsonov. Ian Oland breaks down the team’s cap situation going forward. (Russian Machine Never Breaks)

NHL Links

• The Seattle Kraken (Vitek Vanecek’s now-former club) made quite a splash to open free agency with Philipp Grubauer and other key pieces throughout the expansion draft, NHL draft and free agency. James O’Brien ponders expectations for the NHL’s 32nd franchise going forward. (Pro Hockey Talk)
• Meanwhile, in New York, the Rangers made a bit of a statement, acquiring Ryan Reaves from the Vegas Golden Knights. The deal should make for an interesting season opener between NYR and Washington, as Reaves once said he’s the solution to teams’ “Tom Wilson problem.” (Forever Blueshirts)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• Speaking with the Great 8 yesterday reminded me just how big his legacy is. He’s already one of the greatest athletes  — and in my opinion, numbers aside, the greatest goal scorer — of all time. Ovechkin needs 33 goals per season to break Wayne Gretzky’s record, and honestly, that’s not too crazy to imagine. In other news, I’m still very intrigued by the whole eating-eight-cantaloupes-on-draft-day story. According to Leonsis, he ate eight cantaloupes following his selection.
• I don’t know what exactly Samsonov’s extension could look like, but I do know that general manager Brian MacLellan expects a bridge deal. I don’t think, though, that the AAV should go past $3 million, as he still has a lot to prove.