Dementyev: Ovechkin's only goal is to break Gretzky's record
Hockey agent Alexei Dementyev explains why Ovechkin, 41, signed on for a 22nd NHL season with Washington: he is 10 goals short of Wayne Gretzky's record.
Alexander Ovechkin will play a 22nd NHL season after extending his contract with Washington. Hockey agent and expert Alexei Dementyev has given his view of why the 41-year-old forward signed again.
Ovechkin is 10 goals short of Wayne Gretzky's NHL total, playoffs included: 1,006 against 1,016.
Asked why Ovechkin chose to sign another contract, Dementyev said: "Let me put it simply: Alexander has won everything except the Olympics. The only goal on the table right now is to break the record, so that the name of the Russian, Alexander Ovechkin, is on the first line. We all need to pull together and help him get there with our strength, our charms and our fluids."
If the gap is still 10 when the season opens, the record could be settled within the one year the new deal covers.
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