Alex Ovechkin Believes Tom Wilson Will Be Future Captain Of Capitals: 'Since Day 1, He Shows His Leadership'

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin took Tom Wilson under his wing this season, showing him the ropes and what it means to be a leader. And looking ahead, the captain believes that Wilson is ready to inherit the "C."

Ovechkin said on Tuesday that he has been impressed by Wilson's growth, which helped him replace Nicklas Backstrom as the third alternate captain this season.

"I think since day one when he came to the league, he show his leadership on the ice and off the ice," Ovechkin said. "He's always in team-wise, how I said, on the ice and off the ice. He support this organization, he's a leader and probably future captain, as well."

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Ovechkin has two years left on his contract, while Wilson's seven-year extension, which he signed last August, begins this coming season. That contract all but sets Wilson up to take on the captaincy when No. 8 hangs up the skates.

Wilson himself said he felt his role expand and change over the course of the year, which he called one of the "craziest" campaigns of his career yet.

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"There was tons of ups and downs on and off the ice, and it was a learning experience for me as well," Wilson said, adding, "You got a guy that you look up to like Backy, who right away is gone. And then your role expands a little bit, and I really am proud of where the group got to by the end of the year. Just the culture and the guys in this room."

In 74 games this season, Wilson put up 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points and made his second career NHL All-Star Weekend appearance. He also won the inaugural Caps Care Community Award and was the team's nominee for the King Clancy for the work he's done in the D.C. community.