Could superstar Alexander Ovechkin have one foot out the door in Washington?
No, don't roll your eyes.
You read that right.
Now, it is highly doubtful that 29 general managers are making a dash for their offer sheets as we speak, but that may change.
While it didn't exactly make headlines outside of D.C., the flashy Russian recently went on the record with Sovetsky Sport regarding his future with the Capitals.
Ovechkin didn't come right out and say he was frustrated with the direction the Capitals are headed, although he offered no guarantee he would be back in Washington in 2008.
"I don't know yet where I will be next season," said Ovechkin.
"I am not negotiating my new contract. I want to stay in Washington. But who knows what is going to happen?"
One guy who would dearly love to know is Capitals GM George McPhee.
With Ovechkin set to be a restricted free agent this summer, McPhee has to open the vault, spending to the max to keep him.
And he'll try to get it done fast. Look no further than Buffalo to see what happens when you don't get your superstars signed.
Failing that, if he can't get Ovechkin signed, it is a safe bet McPhee would simply take OV to arbitration, meaning an offer sheet could not be tendered to him.
But if talks hit a snag and Ovechkin moves, wouldn't the four first-round picks McPhee would likely receive as compensation soften that blow?
As diplomatic as he comes across, don't think for a minute that Ovechkin wouldn't welcome a change of scenery.
Somewhere we he can earn a few extra endorsement bucks, somewhere where his talents can be maximized to their full potential.
Somewhere other than Washington.
Rival GMs with a lot of money under the cap — uh, sorry John Ferguson, Jr. — must be salivating at the prospect, distant though it may be, of hijacking Ovechkin.