Well, I guess those silly Alex Ovechkin rumors can now be put to bed, huh?
The ink has dried on that historic 13-year, $124-million pact that gives Ovechkin long-term security and, if he so chooses, the ability to buy a piece of Greenland.
So much for certain internet bloggers throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. The largest contract in the history of the NHL just shows that maybe this guy should try to find another line of work.
Ovechkin, on the other hand, won't have that problem.
It was almost a no-brainer for Ted Leonsis and George McPhee. Both didn't want the talks to drag into July, forcing Ovechkin to arbitration to avoid the inevitable offer sheets that would come his way.
Leonsis and McPhee will sleep well now.
Really, is anyone surprised? Big bucks, no doubt, but you had to figure Ovechkin was going to cash in, perhaps like no one before him.
Now the debate begins. Is anyone, let alone Ovechkin, worth that type of money, especially seeing how Sidney Crosby signed an extension with the Penguins for $8.7 million per season?
Compare OV to Crosby, if you must, but make sure to draw comparisons to Scott Gomez, a $10 million man himself.
Such is life in today's NHL. Knowing he was going to have to open the vault to keep Ovechkin in D.C., Leonsis did that in a way never seen before. Now the questions are moot. Ovechkin, one of the most exciting players in the world today, is not going anywhere.
Probably ever.
So scratch one name, and the biggest one at that, off the list of potential restricted free agents who were sure to attract plenty of attention this summer.
Somewhere, Kevin Lowe is cursing.
Many felt Ovechkin would opt out of Washington, choosing instead to go to a locale much more hockey-savvy and, with it, maximize his endorsement potential.
Now he doesn't have to.
That, if nothing else, says something about loyalty.