Alexander Ovechkin has cleared the way for himself to play in the NHL this season.
The first overall pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft has exercised his option to void his contract for this season with Omsk of the Russian Super League. Ovechkin, property of the Washington Capitals, could escape the Russian contract on or before the Wednesday deadline.
Ovechkin informed the Capitals today that he is, in fact, escaping his commitment to Omsk and wants to play for the Capitals in the NHL this season.
Ovechkin reportedly signed a one-year deal with Omsk, but found himself in the middle of a dispute between Omsk and his former team, Moscow Dynamo, regarding which club owned his rights. The two teams reached a resolution before the matter went to an arbitrator.
Based on the terms of the new CBA, Ovechkin and the Capitals can officially begin negotating a contract on Saturday. It likely won't be much of a negotiation. As a No. 1 overall pick and potential franchise player, the Capitals will likely give Ovechkin everything he's entitled to as a 2004 draft pick.
Ovechkin is eligible to receive slightly more money than the players who will be drafted in 2005, but not as much as he would have received if he and the Capitals had negotiated a contract prior to the beginning of the lockout.