Alex Ovechkin remains the undisputed face of the Washington Capitals. In the past season, he broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, reaching 895 goals and solidifying his status as the NHL’s greatest goal scorer. However, the franchise is already thinking about new names to carry the goal-scoring torch in the future.
While he prepares for the upcoming NHL season, Ovechkin continues to be a key first-line player and a major draw for fans. The 39-year-old forward is stronger than the retirement rumors that have surfaced in recent days.
At the franchise level, Washington finished the 2024-25 season atop the Metropolitan Division but fell in the second round of the playoffs. The team’s heavy reliance on Ovechkin exposed the need to add depth and inject youth into the attack. The front office took note and started to make moves.
The new young player joining the Capitals’ future
The Capitals have signed top prospect Lynden Lakovic, their 2025 first-round pick (27th overall), reinforcing their commitment to developing emerging talent following a strong 2024-25 WHL campaign. His arrival is aimed at adding a player with significant growth potential.
NHL legend Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Lakovic signed a three-year entry-level contract, with a cap hit of $975,000 in the NHL and $85,000 in the AHL. At just 18 years old, the young forward could return to the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL for further development during the 2025-26 season. However, his name will remain on the Capitals’ radar.
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Lakovic’s impact
During the 2024-25 season, Lakovic led the Warriors with 58 points, contributing 27 goals and 31 assists in an impressive 47 games, and was named team captain in February of this year. His profile and track record position him as a potential impact forward for the Caps’ future.
