ThePredatorsgave Ovechkin a black custom Gibson guitar, complete with an inscription on the pick guard which reads "Alex Ovechkin No. 8." and has Predators and Capitals team logos.
The caption reads "A Music City gift for the "Gr8"... Congrats to Alex Ovechkin on an incredible career!"
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Ovechkin's first NHL season came in 2005-06, more than a year after he was selected No. 1 overall at the 2004 NHL Draft. The NHL lockout in 2004-05 delayed Ovechkin's arrival, but it was worth the wait. He scored 52 goals as a 20-year-old, winning the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) easily.
During the next 10 seasons, Ovechkin scored 50-plus goals seven times, won the Rocket Richard Trophy (for the league's top goal scorer) six times, and became a 500-goal scorer by the time he was 30.
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) and center Bo Horvat (14) defend against Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) battles New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Mavrik Bourque (22) scrambles for the puck during the first period against the New York Islanders at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) passes the puck past Nashville Predators center Ross Colton (79) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) chases after the puck with New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Adam Edstrom (84) sets up to shoot against the New York Islanders during the first period against the New York Islanders at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) and center Bo Horvat (14) defend against Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) and center Bo Horvat (14) defend against Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) battles New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
Nashville Predators center Mavrik Bourque (22) scrambles for the puck during the first period against the New York Islanders at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) passes the puck past Nashville Predators center Ross Colton (79) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) chases after the puck with New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Nashvile Predators vs New York Islanders best photos
Nashville Predators center Adam Edstrom (84) sets up to shoot against the New York Islanders during the first period against the New York Islanders at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
"People don't appreciate how amazing (Ovechkin) was in his prime," Steven Stamkos said after Ovechkin's retirement announcement. "They see him now, and obviously he can still score, but in his prime he was almost unstoppable. Like, physically unstoppable. The skating, the puck-handling, the shooting, the physicality. It was impressive, he was a force."
