Alex Ovechkin’s warmup moment in Toronto signals his NHL retirement is coming
Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
When Alex Ovechkin scooped up a couple pucks as keepsakes, it put into perspective something that fans may not want to accept — he's retiring very soon.
As the Washington Capitals skated into Toronto for the final time this season, Alex Ovechkin soaked it all in.
Questions about his future in the NHL are rampant as the greatest scorer of all time is contemplating whether or not to continue on for a 22nd season. He has nothing left to prove, and at 40 years old — Father Time is starting to become the ultimate equalizer.
The Alex Ovechkin puck collection and why his retirement decision is likely made
But as he took the ice for warmups on Wednesday, eagle-eyed fans noticed that The Great Eight managed to scoop up a couple of biscuits as a keepsake for what could be his last time in Toronto.
While that doesn't necessarily mean he is going to retire, it's something that is notable nonetheless. There's no reason Ovechkin would be grabbing pucks otherwise, as I am sure the Capitals have more than enough in their equipment room if he wanted some for his kids.
The reason he did this so quietly though is simply because he wants no fanfare. According to his teammate Dylan Strome, last year's record-breaking season seemed to be the true send-off and this season was just a formality.
While he can't speak for Ovechkin — he has a pretty good idea as to why he's keeping a low profile:
I’m not going to put words in his mouth, but he did say that he doesn’t want the big send off and things like that. He deserves whatever he would want.
Leave it to Ovechkin to light up a room and take over by nature, but his respectfulness and quiet retirement shows exactly just why he's so beloved by everyone.
The legacy of Alex Ovechkin in Toronto and why he always dominated the Maple Leafs
If this is indeed Ovechkin's final time in Toronto, he will no doubt have his place in history as someone who absolutely dominated them pillar to post.
He put up 80 points in 63 games (45 goals, 35 assists), 36 PIM and six game-winning goals. If there was anyone who you could reliably count on to come in and score against Toronto; it's Ovie.
However that's not really a surprise when you're talking about a player who has 928 goals and counting. Surpassing Wayne Gretzky in anything is no small feat, but to continue to add onto a goal-scoring record that likely will never be beaten — it's remarkable.
There's not much more to say about Ovechkin when it comes to his legacy, not only in Toronto but as a whole.
There's a reason he's called 'The Great Eight', but we all know there will only ever be one Alexander Ovechkin.
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