IMHO Ovechkin transcends any thinking. The guy HAS to be here and retire a Capital. There are not many players that can be considered the best at anything ever, and Ovi is in that conversation. He may be the best shooter this game has ever seen. Had there not been a strike shortened season, plus Covid... he very well may be on the doorstep of the most goals all time. You keep him here, you retire 8 when he decides to hang him up, and you make sure he never calls another arena 'home.'
Shedding Kuzy's deal has to be the priority this offseason... expose him to the expansion draft and if he doesn't get nabbed, put him on the block. Same with Sammy. The two of them not only hit covid protocols twice, but they were also disciplined for showing up late to a team meeting on the cusp of the playoffs....