Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals superstar, is in the spotlight once again as a finalist for the 2025 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. This recognition comes three months after he shattered the NHL goals record, and it reflects his commitment to philanthropy, particularly through his 'Victory Over Cancer' initiative. Since launching this campaign, Ovechkin has pledged to donate money for every goal he scores, raising over $150,000 for pediatric cancer research. His milestone 895th goal was celebrated with a donation of the same amount, and he emphasizes the importance of using his platform to support those battling cancer. Other nominees for the award include NBA guard CJ McCollum and tennis star Sloane Stephens. The winner will be announced during the ESPY awards on July 15, further illustrating the impactful legacy Ovechkin is building both on and off the ice.

The Washington Capitals have secured defenseman Martin Fehervary for the long term, signing him to a seven-year contract extension worth $6 million annually through the 2032-33 season. This new deal comes as Fehervary prepares to enter the final year of his previous bridge contract, valued at $2.675 million. The 25-year-old defenseman recorded five goals and a career-high 25 points last season while playing a key role in the Capitals' successful penalty kill, which ranked fifth in the NHL.

By locking in Fehervary, the Capitals now have seven players signed for more than three years, streamlining their roster decisions ahead of a busy 2026 offseason. With $39.25 million in projected cap space, the Capitals are poised to make significant moves. Notably, 2026 will see the contracts of captain Alex Ovechkin and defenseman John Carlson come off the books, further affecting the team's strategy moving forward.

Martin Fehervary has secured a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Washington Capitals, boasting an annual average of $6 million that kicks off next season. This 25-year-old defenseman, who had a breakout year with 25 points in 81 games, is coming off surgery to repair a knee injury sustained during the playoffs. Notably, he recorded career highs in assists and points before the injury and demonstrated exceptional skating speed, ranking in the 95th percentile among NHL defensemen.

Capitals GM Chris Patrick emphasized Fehervary's significant attributes, including his competitiveness and team-first mentality, suggesting that his extension is a promising step for the franchise's future. Drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Fehervary has accumulated 75 points in 299 career games with the Capitals. Additionally, the Capitals recently signed defenseman Declan Chisholm to a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Declan Chisholm has inked a two-year contract worth $3.2 million with the Washington Capitals, averaging $1.6 million annually. This move comes after his recent trade from the Minnesota Wild, where he showcased his defensive skills, particularly excelling in shot attempt percentages and takeaways among his peers. Chisholm's offensive contributions also made an impression, finishing with 12 points in 66 games last season. With a promising start to his career and prior experience with the Winnipeg Jets, he aims to bolster the Capitals' blue line.

Washington Capitals' President Brian MacLellan anticipates a quieter offseason compared to the previous year's frenzy. As free agency approaches, the organization is strategically shaping its roster for a future beyond Alex Ovechkin, who is in the last year of his contract. The Capitals recently added five prospects during the NHL draft, with at least one player, Milton Gastrin, expressing his excitement to join a team he admired as a child. However, with $9.38 million in cap space and four pending unrestricted free agents, including Taylor Raddysh and Andrew Mangiapane, tough choices lie ahead. The Capitals may struggle to compete for top-tier free agents like Mitch Marner, pushing them to consider alternative strategies for roster improvements.