Alex Ovechkin may be heading into his 21st NHL season, but the Washington Capitals captain is not thinking about retirement just yet.
On Saturday, he confirmed he plans to return next season but joked that, at 40 years old, he’ll still need to earn a roster spot.
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“For me, it’s first of all to make a roster when 40 years old, you know?” Ovechkin said. “I have to pass skating test.”
Veteran teammate Tom Wilson, a longtime linemate and fellow Capitals leader, struggled to accept that Ovechkin’s NHL career might be nearing its end.
“I don’t want to think about the day where he’s not a Cap,” Wilson said. “(He’s) just such a big part of this organization. You guys know that. It’s insane how big a part he is of DC hockey and everything he’s done here.”
With Ovechkin nearing his inevitable retirement, Wilson acknowledged it will be uncanny to play in a league that doesn’t feature the Russian winger.
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“It’ll be a very weird day when that happens, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there…” Wilson said. ”He’s truly a legend in every meaning of the word.”
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) during warm-ups before a game against the Montreal Canadiens in game four of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Ovechkin has one year remaining on his contract and he passed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record earlier this year.
The winger posted 44 goals in 65 games thorough the 2024-25 season despite missing 16 games with a broken leg, finishing his 20th NHL season sitting at 897 goals career-wise.
“I’m looking forward for next year,” Ovechkin said during his end-of-season media availability. “I just want to come back next year and see the team who’s capable of winning the Stanley Cup.”
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