Ovechkin signs 13-year/$124M extension

[Guest DetroitIan]

Definitely a great signing for the Caps. No way they were letting Ovechkin go.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

It's actually a 9.5 per year deal for over TEN years. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=226952&hubname=nhl

Woah baby.

[Guest Jeremy88]

Well now the caps have him locked up for 6 more years, they need to get better talent to surround him so they have a realistic chance to make the playoffs. They definitely need a big name defensemen, but they'd have to trade their big name players, which they have like...2? Ovechkin (which they'll never trade) and Semin? Damn, they need to draft some good players.

And Z said himself he wants to play here for his entire career. I don't think he'd ask for 9 million knowing we couldn't afford to pay him that much. He'll probaby get something around 5-6 million, I think

[jdog19 0]

It's actually a 9.5 per year deal for over TEN years. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=226952&hubname=nhl

Woah baby.

$124 mil/13 years.

Ummm.....speechless.

Edited January 10, 2008 by jdog19

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

13 years for $124 million.

Wow.

As the article points out, it's the biggest contract in NHL history.

[lfd250 1]

I can't believe with the INJ that players are having they would sign anyone for more then 3 years at a time. Who's to say Washington will have a team in 4 years?

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

And Z said himself he wants to play here for his entire career. I don't think he'd ask for 9 million knowing we couldn't afford to pay him that much. He'll probaby get something around 5-6 million, I think

Why would he settle for a million less per year than what they paid Datsyuk? And potentially less than what they signed Rafalkski for?

[detroitdan 0]

Guess that shoots down EKlunds stupid rumor of Ovechkin going to Nashville eh ? They won't take that big of a salary there?

Eklund has made some dumb statements before, but that one topped them all...first off, there isn't going to be a team in Nashville within 5 years; secondly, the Preds definitely wouldn't be able to pay Ovechkin what he's worth; and Leonsis would have to be mentally ill to trade him and Kolzig....Eklund needs to shut up and get out of the rumour business...he has a very poor success rate,and when a trade or signing actually happens he'll say that he "saw it coming" or some other crap...I feel stupid by even reading his blog

[akustyk 84]

13 years, $124M

jesus

someone wake me up and tell this is post-cap NHL with people who

saw what happens when hockey's gone for an entire season because

of money arguments...

[Yzermaniac192005 0]

Eklund has made some dumb statements before, but that one topped them all...first off, there isn't going to be a team in Nashville within 5 years; secondly, the Preds definitely wouldn't be able to pay Ovechkin what he's worth; and Leonsis would have to be mentally ill to trade him and Kolzig....Eklund needs to shut up and get out of the rumour business...he has a very poor success rate,and when a trade or signing actually happens he'll say that he "saw it coming" or some other crap...I feel stupid by even reading his blog

As long as people continue to read his blog - he's going to keep writing. I think I've said this a hundred times on this site, if we all just stop looking at his stupid blog and caring about what he says, he will disappear. So will all the dumb rumors that people sometimes take seriously. I haven't been to Eklund's site in over 4 years and I suggest everyone stop going there as well. All anyone does is bash him yet you all still go back lol

[auxlepli 17]

I get what you all are saying, but Zetterberg and Ovechkin are pretty close in my opinion, an argument could be made if Zetterberg wanted that kind of money. Since he said he'd take a Hockeytown discount I guess it doesn't matter.

Zetterberg's stats on top, Ovechkin's below.

[FinRedWing 172]

13 years?

AO will go Cup-hunting right about Sundin's age then.

[Guest wingswillwincup]

ovechkin negotiated this deal himself , guess its more money in his pocket... no commission for an agent to give out hahahah , i guess he figured if im gonna keep playing on an awful team then i might as well get the big bucks , but this is not good for the nhl cause the salaries will go even higher

its more important then ever for kenny to lock up filppula,cleary,franzen,hudler,zetterberg to longterm deals

[Yzermaniac192005 0]

ovechkin negotiated this deal himself , guess its more money in his pocket... no commission for an agent to give out hahahah , i guess he figured if im gonna keep playing on an awful team then i might as well get the big bucks , but this is not good for the nhl cause the salaries will go even higher

its more important then ever for kenny to lock up filppula,cleary,franzen,hudler,zetterberg to longterm deals

Then we all better wish kenny the best of luck starting now haha

[Booster313 138]

Why would he settle for a million less per year than what they paid Datsyuk? And potentially less than what they signed Rafalkski for?

My guess is Z 7yrs for 6.7 Million....if Z pushes the issue then he'll get 7 to 7.5. He won't and shouldn't make more than the best defensemen in the league makes. We have asked him his last two contracts to take less than market value. I know Z is the future and an amazing player but as long as Lids is on the team and still playing like the best in the league he should be our highest paid player.

[akustyk 84]

I get what you all are saying, but Zetterberg and Ovechkin are pretty close in my opinion, an argument could be made if Zetterberg wanted that kind of money. Since he said he'd take a Hockeytown discount I guess it doesn't matter.

Zetterberg's stats on top, Ovechkin's below.

but it's not the numbers that play on the ice. Zetterberg has 16 quality guys

to play with (I don't count Lilja ). Ovechkin... has Semin and Greene,

and that would be it

this is pretty much incomparable. Zet is serving different role with Wings

than Alex is with the caps. and he has different ppl around

[DRW Dominance 255]

WOW. These deals are getting ridiculous now. I sure hope Washington can build something around him.

[edicius 3,269]

He's the franchise. Good for Washington to lock him up. Honestly a smarter idea than what Pittsburgh did with Crosby for only five years.

[FinRedWing 172]

He's the franchise. Good for Washington to lock him up. Honestly a smarter idea than what Pittsburgh did with Crosby for only five years.

And now your new Ovechkin-jersey won't go out of fashion until...2021!

Edited January 11, 2008 by FinRedWing

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

What's to stop Chris Chelios from signing a 13 year contract?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

ovechkin negotiated this deal himself , guess its more money in his pocket... no commission for an agent to give out hahahah , i guess he figured if im gonna keep playing on an awful team then i might as well get the big bucks , but this is not good for the nhl cause the salaries will go even higher

its more important then ever for kenny to lock up filppula,cleary,franzen,hudler,zetterberg to longterm deals

Salaries arent going astronomically higher because of this. There are MAYBE a handful of guys who are worth what Ovechkin is, and I would argue there are really only 3 (Luongo, Crosby, Lidstrom). Heatley, Spezza, Getzlaf, Ribeiro, etc all fairly signed reasonable contracts and will be used as measuring sticks more often than Ovechkin.

[BeeRYCE 2]

What's to stop Chris Chelios from signing a 13 year contract?

Legit LOL

[Guest wingswillwincup]

Salaries arent going astronomically higher because of this. There are MAYBE a handful of guys who are worth what Ovechkin is, and I would argue there are really only 3 (Luongo, Crosby, Lidstrom). Heatley, Spezza, Getzlaf, Ribeiro, etc all fairly signed reasonable contracts and will be used as measuring sticks more often than Ovechkin.

they were talking about it on tsn and how in 5 yrs when crosby's contract is up he might command around 15 mill a year LOL thats insain man , and i do think because ovechkin got 9 mill per , then other guys who got around the same amount of points might not get 9 mill per but they could ask for more then they would of gotten , thats what i think anyways

And tsn also mentioned ovechkin basically taking the money means hes committed himself to the money , because washington has a self imposed cap and wont have much money left

on a sidenote ...... 4-4 now baby ! wings tied it up lol ... kronwall scored and his having an awesome year looks like kenny might of pulled off a hell of another deal ( knock on wood)

Now we need to lock up filppula and cleary for 4-5 yrs

[SweWings 45]

I don't really know what to say - not that he doesn't deserve the money but still, 13 years? Can you imagine if Lindros was signed to this contract back in his early years?

[Barrie 900]

13 years is to long. If I was a NHL player, I wouldn't sign for anymore than 5 years.