Would Caps consider buying out Ovechkin

and his 9.5 million dollar a year salary?  Ovie isn't playing well right now and really hasn't lived up to expectations that past couple of years.  So would the Caps consider buying him out and allowing him to go the way of free agency? 

I don't know if it is in the CBA but would they trade him and pay for part of that huge contract, because right now, I just don't see any team willing to give up players and picks to take him and that 9.5 million a year salary on.  Last year he had 65 points total and while he did tear up the KHL during the lockout, 19 G, 21 A in 31 games so far this year he has 2 G and 1 Assist in 7 games and when watching him play its like he doesn't really care. 

So what are your thoughts, should the Caps buy him out or keep him around?

If he keeps playing the way he is, I could see it happening. But I think they absolutely have to give him this year and next year to prove his worth. They get a buyout after next season as well and he is a former 60 goal scorer, you want to be 100% sure that he is not the guy he was when you signed him to that contract, before you buy him out.

He's owed 80 million.   What owner is going to throw down tens of millions of dollars NOW for the sake of saving a few bucks in cap space?    Leonosis isn't not going to give up 52-53 milllion next summer to buyout the contract, no NHL owner would. 

absolutely NO CHANCE that happens.  writing that cheque would basically eat away every cent of profit that the caps would make for 2-3 years, AT LEAST.  obviously it's looking like a terrible contract right now, but the guy can still play.  it's not like we're talking gomez here.

at the very least, they could still get a lot in a trade for him, even with that contract.  If put on the right team, he'd still be a great player.  he just has NOBODY supporting him right now, backstrom is playing like crap, and beyond those 2, there isn't much. ribiero, and that's about it.

you think he has good trade value? im not so sure. how many teams have $10m. in cap space for a once productive hard working player? that contract is an albotross.

i don't think he's gonna bring back what he would have 2-3 years ago, but i still think he has lots of value, and could fetch some pretty solid assets, especially if something could be worked out where hte caps kept some of the cap hit or something.

hell, even if all they got was a 7th rd pick (which is obviously ridiculous), it's certainly a better option then buying him out

Two threads that involve trading or buying out Ovie?!?  Reality check fella's, Ovie is going nowhere until that contract is over and then maybe not even then.  The only thing that Ovie's drop in production tells me is that the Caps are going to have to make some moves in order to help Ovechkin. 

He is off the steroids, he will neer be the player he used to be.  He will be a 30 goal/60 point guy for the rest of his career.  The Capitals are going to regret his contract for years to come.  

He is off the steroids,

Like anybody selling PEDs was ever caught talking to players from the Capitals.

I would say he is off the early 20s, and his playing style probably loses some effectiveness with age.   

Don't underestimate his ability to get dealt.   Leonosis can trade him and keep up to half the salary.     If he was bought out next year he would still fetch a huge contract elsewhere.

i know one team that would offer him a buttload would be ottawa.

they're have depth down the middle and on D (when everyone is healthy), but are a little weak on the wing.

when alfi retires, they basically have michalek, and then a bunch of rookies and bottom six guys.  they are one of the few teams who could actually afford him too, with alfi and gonchar off the books next year, sens have so much cap room it's almost ridiculous.  he'd look good on a line with spezza, and with karlsson feeding him the puck

I give it less than a 1% chance he gets bought out. Why would you buyout a player that has trade value?

i'd give you Ovechkin but you're taking that GD Mike Green with him. 

Ovechkin still has a lot of trade value...he's in his mid 20s and still has 40-50 goal potential in the right system.  If you disagree you're just being ignorant or a hater.  A team could take him and with the right pieces around him potentially win a championship in 1-2 years. That spells trade value.  Cripes look at what the Rangers paid for Gaborik and the Devils paid for Kovalchuck. Ovechkin has more talent and youth than both those guys.  Trust me there will be some team that would snatch him and his contract up if given the opportunity to sign him.

Trust me there will be some team that would snatch him and his contract up if given the opportunity to sign him.

9.5 cap hit on a 64 million cap with 79 million remaining after this year.   He has yet to adjust his game or significantly improve his defensive game.    He is still an elite player, but with that contract taking a cap hit greater than most teams' 2nd line, give us an example of a gm that takes that contract right now and under what circumstances?      That gm also has to trade for him too.

Starting July 1st, 2014 Ovechkin has a limited NTC that kicks in and it allows him to block a trade to 10 NHL teams that he has to submit in September of each year. With the ability of teams to retain salary in trades now I would think a lot of teams would show interest. Even if the Capitals eat 2.5 of his cap hit AO would be an solid value at 7 million and probably get a great return.

The Islanders are like $20 million under the cap, there owner Wang might be able to sell out the new bulding with him on the team.

I cant even fathom OV going down the tubes like this. But, maybe he was on roids. He does have a big forehead and a mini mouse in his drawers. So yah maybe he was PEDin it. He sure looks weak and feeble out there. Man, what a fall from wherever he was. Couldnt happen to a better guy. OV8 toast

I can't see Ovechkin being bought out or traded.  One thing that I haven't seen mentioned ... Ovechkin is the face of the franchise for the Caps.  And not only that, he is by far and away the most popular hockey player ever in D.C. ... and there isn't a close 2nd.

Ovechkin isn't playing up to his contract, and he hasn't for several years now.  But I'm sure Leonsis remembers how hard hockey was to sell in D.C. before Ovechkin, and I doubt he has any intentions of going back to those days any time soon. 

I hope not. I LOVE seeing a bum like him eat up Washington's cap space.