Alex Ovechkin isn't going to turn back the clock, but after everything he's accomplished, the Capitals shouldn't be hitting the panic button over a slow start.
Ovechkin has nothing left to prove. He's the greatest goal scorer of all time, he's won a Stanley Cup, and he's on the last hurrah of his career. This could be his final NHL season, and there's no reason to panic over a slow start.
With one goal and three assists in the season's first four games, Ovechkin is on pace for nine goals and 28 assists over an 84-game season. Now, before you lose your mind, this is similar to the start he had a year ago, when he recorded two goals and five assists through his first nine games. Of course, he eventually picked things up and finished with 32 goals and 32 assists. Not too shabby for someone who's been around the game as long as he has.
Much like last season, Ovechkin has also had to overcome a training camp injury. No one likes talking about injuries, but at Ovechkin's age, they're going to become more common, especially for someone who's been an offensive machine for the Capitals throughout his career.
But when you look at the bigger picture, this might actually be the perfect time for Ovechkin to be winding down his career. We've seen the slow starts, and now we're seeing injuries become more of a concern. Still, if Ovechkin starts finding his rhythm, there's no reason to think he can't put together another respectable season. We've rarely seen him have a truly disappointing year.
Some of his statistical ups and downs have come during unusual circumstances, including shortened seasons and the COVID shutdown. Outside of those interruptions, Ovechkin has been one of the most consistent offensive players the NHL has ever seen.
He's definitely not the player he once was, but there are plenty of guys who would love to have the season Ovechkin had a year ago. His 64 points might be a far cry from the numbers he put up in his prime, but that's what makes his career so impressive. Even when he's not at his best, he's still producing at a level plenty of players would be happy with.
There's also something to be said about the timing of his retirement. One of the saddest things in sports is watching an elite athlete hang around too long. There's a fine line between retiring too soon and knowing when it's time to walk away, but nobody wants to see an athlete like Ovechkin stay past his prime.
We've seen it happen plenty of times, especially in the NFL and combat sports. Brett Favre is one example. The late, great Muhammad Ali, arguably the greatest fighter who ever lived, continued boxing for years after it was clear that the sport was taking a toll on him.
Ovechkin deserves the chance to finish his career on his own terms. A slow start doesn't change what he's accomplished, and it shouldn't change how Capitals fans view him.
Enjoy Alex Ovechkin while you can, and savor every moment, Caps fans.