Is 2025/2026 season going to be the last for Capitals star Alex Ovechkin? The Washington Capitals head into the 2024–25 season with a crowded center depth chart and a major question at third-line center. Hendrix Lapierre is looking to rebound after a disappointing stint in the NHL last year, while Pierre-Luc Dubois is coming off a resurgent season that solidified him as Washington’s No. 1 center. With Dylan Strome likely holding down the second line and Nic Dowd entrenched on the fourth, Lapierre will need to outshine Connor McMichael and Alexei Protas to seize a full-time role. Meanwhile, the blue line looks revamped with the additions of Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy, and the Capitals' forward group has added speed and grit through Brandon Duhaime and Anthony Beauvillier.

Amid all this roster movement, speculation continues to swirl around Alex Ovechkin’s future. Rumors suggest the 2024–25 campaign could be his final NHL season, as he nears the end of his contract and the long chase for Wayne Gretzky’s goal record winds down. While the team remains committed to competing now, there’s a clear shift toward youth and long-term planning, with top prospect Ryan Leonard expected to make his full-time NHL debut. All eyes will be on training camp as the Caps balance legacy, transition, and the fierce battle for ice time down the middle.

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