Still the same

Backstrom met Ovechkin nearly two decades ago, before either was 21. The fun times, the Cup win and hundreds of goals between them have come and gone.

"He's always been the same," Backstrom said. "He hasn't changed a lot since the first time I met him. He's the same kind of outgoing person."

Marcus Johansson, who played his first seven NHL seasons with Washington and returned for another stint with the Capitals in the 2022-23 season, said Ovechkin has "got a big heart and he takes care of the people around him." That's what current center Dylan Strome tells friends who ask what Ovechkin is like.

"Very, very, very generous with his time, his money — going out of his way for people," Strome said. "He always wants to be with the guys, whether it's to watch sports or just talk or whatever, or have a couple beers, he's always in for that."

Carlson believes the 39-year-old Ovechkin has stayed young, as the age gap between veterans and young teammates in the locker room grows, while at the same time appreciating each moment a little more. Wilson has seen Ovechkin sign dozens of pucks, sticks and jerseys for other teams after a game without the slightest hesitation.

"You can't even really describe him in words," Wilson said. "He's just a guy that's bigger than life, bigger than hockey. A personality that, whenever he does hang them up, the game will miss him a lot."

Agencies Via Xinhua