There is no query Ovechkin is without doubt one of the best gamers in hockey historical past. Is he the best athlete in Washington skilled sports activities historical past?
Washington’s different skilled groups, the Wizards, Commanders and Senators/Nationals, have had their share of stars.
From 1937-52, Sammy Baugh starred for Washington’s soccer workforce, twice successful an NFL title. He was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame and is extensively thought-about probably the greatest quarterbacks in league historical past.
From 1907-27, pitcher Walter Johnson starred for Washington’s American League baseball workforce, then generally known as the Senators. A Corridor of Famer, he was a two-time American League MVP and World Collection champion.
Wes Unseld spent his total profession with the franchise that later grew to become the Wizards. He was the MVP of the NBA Finals in 1978 and later inducted into the Basketball Corridor of Fame.
However Ovechkin’s legacy in Washington transcends all of them.
He has spent all 18 of his NHL seasons with the Capitals, and can nearly actually retire with the workforce. Within the age of free company, superstars hardly ever spend a whole profession with one workforce. LeBron James did not. Neither did Tom Brady.
Ovechkin has gained the Hart Trophy, the NHL’s regular-season MVP award, thrice. He has led the league in targets 9 instances. He is a Stanley Cup champion and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, the distinction given to the MVP of the playoffs.
Final month, Ovechkin broke the file for most targets with one franchise. His subsequent objective will tie Howe for second place all time, and by the point he is completed, Ovechkin could possibly be the NHL’s all-time main objective scorer.
Years in the past, nobody thought it attainable that anybody might surpass Gretzky’s mark (894).
When Ovechkin led the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup championship — Washington’s first title in any main sport in 25 years — he cemented his standing as the best D.C. athlete of all time.
After that title, NBC Sports activities Washington put Ovechkin on the high of town’s pantheon of professional sports activities stars.
Since then, the hole between him and different D.C. stars has solely grown wider.
