NHL-Ovechkin, young stars headline NHL's expanded 84-game season

Sept 25 : The NHL drops the puck on an extended 84-game campaign next week with Macklin Celebrini leading a new generation of superstars and record goalscorer Alex Ovechkin returning for what could be the final season of his glittering career.  

Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leader with 929 goals, signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals, who he believes can challenge for the Stanley Cup, but he has not decided if this is his final season.

"You can see the new faces that we have it gives us a chance to fight for a Cup," said the 41-year-old forward, who continues to command the spotlight every time he hits the ice. 

"You can see the depth in our team, the skill, the leadership that we bring to the locker room."

As Ovechkin and three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby navigate the twilight of their celebrated NHL careers, there is an impressive wave of young talent that is ready to take centre stage.

YOUNG GUNS TAKE AIM

There will be sky-high expectations on San Jose Sharks forward Celebrini, who is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, and fellow young gun Connor Bedard, who at 21 is the second-youngest captain in Chicago Blackhawks history.

Celebrini set a Sharks franchise record last season with 115 points, more than the team's next two top scorers combined, and also produced a breakout performance while helping Canada to a silver medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

San Jose have not made the postseason since 2019 but the 20-year-old Celebrini, surrounded by perhaps the deepest Sharks roster in years, feels a renewed anticipation in the Bay Area.

"It’s pretty cool walking around, talking to people, people coming up to us on the street just saying how excited they are about the season," said