The Wrap: Lamoriello Calls Horvat Deal ‘Too Long & Too Much Money,’ Capitals News

While the top players in the game got together for the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend, the Washington Capitals and rest of the league began their mid-season break. That didn't stop teams from getting business done, though, as general managers worked to extend some of their key players with some time away from the regular season.

Here are all the latest headlines and notes from D.C. and across the league.

Washington Capitals

– Alex Ovechkin took part in his eighth NHL All-Star Weekend with his son, Sergei, by his side on and off the ice, making the experience his favorite one yet. (WHN)

– Ovi Jr. also stole the show as he teamed up with Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby to score on Roberto Luongo and win the Breakaway Challenge. (WHN)

– Then, during the All-Star Game, Ovechkin shined with a three-point outing, recording a goal and two assists on Crosby goals. (WHN)

– Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano signed multi-year extensions with the Capitals over the weekend, and the deals give some insight into what the team's plans are for the future. (WHN)

– Nicklas Backstrom opens up in an exclusive 1-on-1 about how he not only returned to the ice thanks to hip resurfacing surgery, but got his life back as he is finally living pain-free and finding happineess. (WHN)

NHL

– General manager Lou Lamoriello had some interesting things to say about the eight-year, multi-million extension Bo Horvat signed with the Islanders, saying flat out: "It's too long and it's too much money." New York Islanders (NYIHN)

– More on that extension, though, from Horvat's point of view. (NYIHN)

– The All-Star Weekend led to some discusion over changing the NHL playoff format, but commissioner Gary Bettman explained that it's easier said than done to put that into action. (CBC)

– The Atlantic Division won the ASG, with Dylan Larkin leading the way. Detroit Red Wings (DHN)

Top Shelf Takes

– Hershey Bears forward Ethen Frank set an AHL All-Star record with the "Fastest Skater" compeititon with a time of 12.915 seconds. No one got under 13 seconds in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition this year.

– Speaking of the Fastest Skater compeititon, Connor McDavid told the NHL that he didn't want to take part in it this year. He had won the compeititon for three consecutive seasons. Instead, he took part in the Accuracy Shooting competition and of course, went 8-for-8. However, he didn't advance since Nazem Kadri beat him in time when they went head-to-head.

– The Capitals return to the ice on Thursday, so the team will have the next three days off before an afternoon practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

– Washington got a huge win with the Strome & Milano signings, as both cost just $6.9 million combined. That's a good amount to spend on two talents that have done a lot for the club at 5-on-5 and are hitting their primes.

– Ovechkin's documentary, "GR8TNESS," aired on ABC on Saturday, and Kevin Weekes and ESPN deserve stick taps for a job well done. It offered one of the most unique perspectives on Ovechkin yet. Here's a full review, and the doc is available on ESPN+.

– The documentary also highlighted the famous "mirrored visor" ban, which Ovechkin explained. "Brodeur start crying to the league, 'I can't see his eyes.' What are you talking about?" Gary Bettman and the league ultimately told Ovechkin and players they couldn't wear mirrored visors. The 37-year-old told Weekes, though, that he'd wear a mirrored visor today if the league brought the look back.