Alex Ovechkin's five-year deal leaves him in position to pass Wayne Gretzky's goal record

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is in position to eventually pass Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record after signing a five-year contract on Tuesday.

He will be averaging $9.5 million in the contract. He had just completed a 13-year, $124 million contract.

Ovechkin, who will turn 36 in September, enters the 2021-22 season with 730 goals, sixth on the all-time list. He'll need to average 33 goals a season to pass Gretzky.

He never has had fewer than 33 goals in a full season. 

Last year, he had a career-low 24, but that was because he was limited to 45 games by the coronavirus-shortened season, an injury and time spent on the COVID-19 protocol list.

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The Capitals exposed Ovechkin in the expansion draft, but that's so they could protect Daniel Sprong. The team captain signed on the day before free agency opens.

“Alex is the face of our franchise and is committed to this organization and this city,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “Alex embodies what our franchise is all about, and we’re thrilled that he will continue his career in the Caps uniform for the next five years.”

Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom and defenseman John Carlson, who help set up Ovechkin's goals, are signed for the next four years.

Ovechkin was drafted No. 1 overall in 2004 and began play in 2005 after the season-long lockout. He has led the league in goal scoring nine times and won a Stanley Cup in 2018. He will have spent 20 seasons with the Capitals by the time his contract expires.

Ovechkin could pass Marcel Dionne (731), Brett Hull (741) and Jaromir Jagr (766) this season. Gordie Howe is No. 2 at 801 goals and Gretzky leads with 894.