GM: 'Everybody' wants Alex Ovechkin to retire with Capitals

Thus far, all of the major players are saying only the right things about Washington Capitals superstar captain Alex Ovechkin staying with the club through the remainder of his playing days as he's set to hit unrestricted free agency in late July. 

Roughly 24 hours after Ovechkin said he wants to finish his career with the Capitals and is "confident" a deal will get done soon, general manager Brian MacLellan offered his assurances to fans who don't want to see the all-time great go anywhere this summer. 

"We want Ovi, the ownership wants Ovi to finish his career here. Everybody wants him to finish his career," MacLellan explained Wednesday, according to Tom Gulitti of the NHL website. "He's saying the same thing. I think we'll get it worked out in the end." 

MacLellan added he isn't a fan of watching Hall of Famers such as Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky and Ovechkin end their careers with different teams. 

"I just think it's an important thing for the franchise, the relationship with ownership, the franchise and Ovi to have him finish here no matter what effect it's going to have," MacLellan said. 

"And I'm pretty sure it's going to be positive to have him finish here."

As he did when he signed a 13-year, $124 million contract extension in January 2008, Ovechkin is negotiating with MacLellan and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis without an agent. Leonsis once again sounded convinced this story only ends with Ovechkin signing a new agreement with Washington. 

"Alex has spoken. I've spoken," Leonsis said Wednesday. "We have great admiration, respect and love for one another. I think he wants to spend his career here. We want him to spend his career here. I don't think it will be an issue."

For what it's worth, Ovechkin hasn't even teased flirting with would-be suitors via free agency.