Sports
Alex Ovechkin: 'I'm back' on one-year deal with Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Alex Ovechkin passed on retirement to return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year deal.
The Capitals announced the agreement for next season with the 40-year-old is worth $4.25 million, keeping the NHL’s all-time leader in goals in Washington and out of the rocking chair.
“I’m back,” Ovechkin said in the team-issued statement Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin can tack on $4.75 million in the form of a bonus by playing only 10 games, the team said. His base salary is $1 million with a signing bonus of $3.25 million.
Ovechkin completed a five-year, $47.5 million deal when the 2025-26 season ended. He said at his exit interview he expected to play hockey again, but wasn’t committed to signing another contract until Thursday.
He turns 41 before the start of the upcoming season.
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record with career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin has upped his goal total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 times this past season.
Ovechkin is 10th all-time in NHL history in total points (1,687).
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.
–Field Level Media
Sports
St. John's F Donnie Freeman (Achilles) to miss 2026-27
Mar 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (1) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images St. John’s forward Donnie Freeman will miss the 2026-27 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during a workout.
Red Storm coach Rick Pitino announced Wednesday on social media that the Syracuse transfer already underwent surgery to repair the non-contact injury.
“Donnie is an awesome young man, we will get him back better than ever!” Pitino posted.
Freeman was a key transfer portal addition after averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2025-26, both team highs for Syracuse. He was limited to 23 games (21 starts), missing nine contests with a lower-body injury.
Across 37 games (34 starts) in two seasons with the Orange, the 6-foot-9 Freeman averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Transfer F J.P. Estrella says he's sticking with Michigan
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella (13) signals a close shot during the NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026. Michigan transfer J.P. Estrella will remain with the Wolverines following head coach Dusty May’s departure to the NBA, the big man told ESPN on Thursday.
Estrella said he quickly has bonded with interim coach Mike Boynton and his new teammates since arriving on campus about two weeks ago.
May guided Michigan to the national championship last season and recruited a top transfer class including Estrella, center Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati) and forward Jalen Reed (LSU). On June 23, May was named the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
The transfers will have a 15-day window to re-enter the transfer portal starting on July 24, 31 days after Boynton was appointed as interim coach. Thiam confirmed his intention to stay in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, per multiple reports.
The 6-foot-11 Estrella averaged 10.0 points on 59.6% shooting with 5.4 rebounds in 33 games (13 starts) last season at Tennessee. He averaged 6.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 12.4 minutes in 61 games (13 starts) over parts of three campaigns with the Volunteers. He played only three games in 2024-25 due to a foot injury and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Patrick Rodgers (back) WDs from John Deere Classic
May 30, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Patrick Rodgers plays his shot from the ninth tee during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Patrick Rodgers withdrew from the John Deere Classic prior to Thursday’s first round due to a back injury.
Austin Cook replaced Rodgers in the 11:50 a.m. ET tee time at the No. 10 hole at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
Rodgers, 34, has recorded five top-25 finishes and made the cut in 16 of 19 starts this year. He has an Official World Golf Ranking of 85, however he has yet to win on the PGA Tour.
Rodgers joins Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, Colombian Nico Echavarria and Taylor Montgomery in bowing out of this tournament.
Vegas, Echavarria and Montgomery were replaced in the field by Will Gordon, Cameron Champ and Noah Goodwin, respectively.
–Field Level Media
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St. John's F Donnie Freeman (Achilles) to miss 2026-27
