GM: Capitals still have cap room, roster space for Ovechkin - ESPN

Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said his team still has enough room in its lineup and under the salary cap to bring back captain Alex Ovechkin despite adding several high-profile players through trades and free agency recently.

Ovechkin, who turns 41 in September, is an unrestricted free agent. The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer (929) has yet to decide about returning for a 22nd season. Ovechkin has said his primary concerns are his health and whether the Capitals have improved their roster enough to be a contender again after missing the playoffs last season.

«He hasn't made a decision yet. I think part of it was seeing where we are after today and that we're trying to do as much as we can to improve the team,» Patrick told ESPN on Wednesday night.

The Capitals have been one of the NHL's most active teams in the offseason. They traded for St. Louis Blues star winger Jordan Kyrou. They followed that with a sign-and-trade with the Buffalo Sabres that landed them winger Alex Tuch, who would have been the top forward available in free agency. Washington added forwards Boone Jenner and Jonny Brodzinski, as well as defensemen Justin Holl and Vincent Desharnais, as free agency opened Wednesday.

They join a core of returning players that features veteran stars such as Tom Wilson and the next wave of Capitals such as rookie defenseman Cole Hutson.

Washington now has 14 forwards under contract. PuckPedia projects that the Capitals have just over $4.375 million in open cap space.

While some have viewed this acquisition spree as evidence that Ovechkin won't be back, Patrick said the Capitals have the roster space and the contract structure ready if their captain decides to return.

«I think we can do something