Analyst Believes Alex Ovechkin, Two Others "Will Feel the Heat" This Season

Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes that Alex Ovechkin, along with teammates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jakob Chychrun, will face significant pressure during the upcoming season for the Washington Capitals. 

Ovechkin, now 39, is just 41 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, a feat that many consider one of the last major milestones in his legendary career. 

While Ovechkin’s legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers is already cemented, the challenge of surpassing Gretzky in a single season is immense. 

Alex Ovechkin only needs 42 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky for the most all-time.

Will he do it next season? #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/LDjAlmAF5j

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) July 3, 2024

For Dubois and Chychrun, the stakes are equally high but in different ways. 

Dubois, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings after a lackluster 2023-24 season, must prove his worth to the Capitals. 

With an $8.5-million salary and expectations of delivering 30 goals and 65-70 points, Proteau thinks Dubois is under pressure to emerge as a key leader in Washington's playoff push. 

as oilers fans do the wave, pierre-luc dubois scores a goal that deflects off cody ceci and darnell nurse. you can’t make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/QlBiYf375p

— zach (@zjlaing) April 23, 2024

Meanwhile, Chychrun, entering a contract year after being traded from Ottawa, aims to re-establish himself as a top-pairing defenseman alongside John Carlson. 

If he doesn’t perform at his career-best level, he risks entering free agency with diminished leverage.

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images