Dylan Strome joined the Washington Capitals in 2022 after being let go by the Chicago Blackhawks. Since arriving in the nation’s capital, he has become one of the team’s best players, right alongside future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin. Soon, Strome may be Washington’s star man all on his own.
Ovechkin — the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer — is entering a contract year. He is a free agent on July 1, 2026, and can choose to sign anywhere he wants. This includes heading home to end his illustrious career in his native Russia. However, this could also mean he retires from the game as a member of the Capitals.
Speculation around Ovechkin’s future with Washington will rage until he makes a decision. For Strome, he certainly hopes the future Hall of Famer returns for a few more seasons. In fact, he strongly believes the Capitals legend may have something more left in the tank.
“Look, we don’t know if it’s going to be his final year,” the Washington forward told NHL.com at a celebrity golf tournament. “You kind of see what he said a couple of days ago, that it’s preposterous that people would talk about that this will be his last year. I mean, obviously it’s the final year of his contract, so anything can happen.”
Alex Ovechkin Non-Committal on Playing Future
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesAlex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome have led the charge for the Washington Capitals over the last two seasons.
The topic of Ovechkin’s future is going to be much discussed over the coming months. However, discussion was recently ignited by the man himself. Ovechkin spoke with Russian news agency RIA Novosti and revealed his current thoughts on playing beyond this season.
“We are not in negotiations yet,” the Capitals legend said of a potential new contract, as translated by Antonio Losada of Athlon Sports. “Would you like to stay at the club? A year will pass, and we will think about it. We will live and see.”
At this time, it appears that Ovechkin is focused on the season ahead. Washington made it to the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 2026, the future Hall of Famer hopes to end the season by raising the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career.
Capitals’ Dylan Strome Details Ovechkin Effect
Strome has spent a lot of time on the ice with Ovechkin. Strome has emerged as Washington’s first line center. And that means that “Ovi” is on his flank when he’s on the ice. This has had a major effect on his career.
“To be on his line the majority of my three seasons in Washington, it’s been an honor to play with him and still is,” Strome told NHL.com. “He’s obviously had a storybook career, and he’s obviously had a positive effect on mine.”
“I’d be lying to you if I said there weren’t times along the way where I wondered if I could produce or get to where I wanted to be. And now, 10 years after I got drafted, to have my best year personally and team wise, with us finishing second in the overall standings, it just shows how you can keep growing and learning. I hope to continue doing that. And I look forward to ‘Ovi’ hopefully being a part of it,” the Capitals forward continued.
Strome certainly isn’t alone in wanting Ovechkin to return to the Capitals. For now, though, it’s a wait-and-see process as “The Great Eight” determines what’s best for him and his family. The Capitals begin the 2025-26 season on October 8 when they welcome the Boston Bruins to town.
Capitals Star Addresses Alex Ovechkin’s Future Beyond 2025-26