A Hockey Player Really Just Signed A $124 Million Extension?

Going through all the news I missed while gone on my trip to Las Vegas, I could not help but look twice at a few headline that reads, Ovechkin, Capitals signs 13-year, $124 million contract extension. The first thing that popped into my non-hockey head was the story I ran on Rick Dipietro who signed a 15-year, $67.5 million deal with the New York Islanders in September of 2006. Back then, fans of the sport were screaming bloody murder. A poll showed that only 7.1% thought it was a good deal for the Islanders. I wonder if people will think differently about the recent move by the Capitals after its $124 million deal with Ovechkin, making him the first NHL player to have a 9 figure contract (Dipietro still holds the record for longest term of an NHL contract).

Whether you like the deal or not, Ovechkin is happy with the terms of the agreement, and he negotiated the whole contract all by himself. Not bad considering that he is only 22 years old and hails from Moscow, Russia. Ovechkin may have received a contract to his liking, but perhaps he should look into acquiring an agent for other purposes such as endorsements, public relations, etc. At least Alexander does not have to deal with a situation like the agent-less Daunte Culpepper went through.