The offseason for a top NHL team is winding down as training camp practices are set to begin, marking a return to action after a playoff miss. The milestone comes on the player’s birthday, blending personal celebration with the professional restart of preparations. Fans and analysts will watch closely as the team gears up for another season, with expectations high following last year’s disappointment. The focus now shifts to how the squad rebuilds its momentum ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The long offseason since Ovechkin and the Capitals missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season is nearing its end. Training camp practices begin Thursday, which is Ovechkin’s 41st birthday.