The Capitals are pursuing fresh air merely to keep their heads above water owing to their recent lack of success and injuries, which may end in a rebuild as the squad continues to age, while Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky's records.
According to Greg Wyshynski, Ovechkin has warned the Washington Capitals management that if they decide to rebuild during his quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky for all-time goals, he would not remain with the team.
The Capitals are in a difficult position right now since they don't appear to be very competitive and may lose their greatest player, Alex Ovechkin, in the process of trying to rebuild.