Capitals owner: We won't rebuild while Ovechkin chases goals record

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said he won't tear down his club while icon Alex Ovechkin chases down Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record.

"I'm not gonna do what I did last time and trade everybody," Leonsis told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

"I'm sure there'll be an influx of some young players, but we're not gonna rebuild the team," he added. "To me, a rebuild is when you look the players, the coaches, the fans in the eye and say we're gonna be really, really bad. And if we were really, really bad, I don't think Alex would break the record."

Leonsis, who's owned the franchise since 1999, is referencing the teardown he oversaw in the early 2000s before landing Ovechkin with the first overall pick in 2004.

Ovechkin's arrival completely transformed the organization. Washington has made the playoffs 14 times since being built around the Russian sniper, winning a Stanley Cup in 2018. However, the Capitals haven't won a playoff series since their long-awaited triumph and currently sit outside a playoff spot with a 14-12-4 record.

Washington has dealt with several key injuries early in the 2022-23 campaign, but Ovechkin's goal pursuit has been a bright spot. The 37-year-old has 20 tallies in 31 games and is now up to 800 for his career. Ovechkin is 94 goals from tying the Great One and a mere two from passing Gordie Howe for second on the all-time list.

Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5-million extension in 2021 not only with the record in mind but in hopes of capturing another championship.

"He's very cognizant of doing this the right way," Leonsis explained. "Alex said, 'I'm not gonna be a third-line guy playing 8-to-10 minutes a game (where you) trot me out on the power play and let me score my goals. That's not what I want to do. Promise me you'll keep the team competitive (and) a playoff team.' And he promised to come in shape all the time and not be fixated on the record but be fixated on winning another Stanley Cup."