Let’s set the scene: the year is 2017, and the Calgary Flames are looking to take the next step. They have a bright new core and are a few years removed from their surprise 2015 playoff run. They’ve expedited their rebuild with the acquisition of Dougie Hamilton. The one thing they still need to take the next step? A pure goal scorer. So why not take a swing on the best one out there, right?
That’s what the Flames attempted. When you think of a guy who can score goals, you think of Alex Ovechkin. He is 27 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history. Now, the Washington Capitals weren’t trading him then, and they aren’t now. He’s the face of their franchise and likely always will be.
To be fair to the Flames, it’s always worth checking in on things. At the time, the Capitals were coming off another early playoff exit. There was a lot of conversation around that team being good enough to win the cup. Ovechkin and the Capitals answered that conversation shortly thereafter:
What a moment.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 8, 2018
Alex Ovechkin hoists the #StanleyCup for the first time! pic.twitter.com/Vb2PxrFdyo
The Flames’ offer for Ovechkin
The Flames’ preliminary offer for Ovechkin was very futures-based. It included a number of first-round picks (likely 2017 and 2018, and more), former fourth overall pick Sam Bennett, and the Capitals’ choice of Adam Fox or Oliver Kylington.
That was a significant offer from the Flames’ end and a signal that they wanted to compete sooner rather than later. It’s believed that this stemmed from Flames ownership and their attempts to make the playoffs for a number of seasons in a row. It’s not known which defenceman the Capitals would have preferred between the two choices the Flames offered.
To be honest, it wasn’t a bad offer by the Flames. It didn’t really fit where the Capitals were at, however. While the offer wasn’t that bad, it did anger the Capitals a lot. They took it as a personal insult that someone would even make them an offer for Ovi. The Capitals were so upset that they would reportedly decline any call from then-Flames General Manager Brad Treliving for a number of seasons after this happened.
Ovechkin won his cup with the Capitals. He will retire with Washington and have his number retired immediately.
The Flames picked Juuso Valimaki with their 2017 first-round pick. They dealt their 2018 first-round pick in the trade that brought over Travis Hamonic from the New York Islanders. Adam Fox was included in the deal that brought Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to Calgary. Sam Bennett stayed with the Flames for a number of seasons before being dealt to the Florida Panthers. Oliver Kylington was with the Flames for a number of seasons before departing in free agency this past summer.
