THE Washington Capitals have addressed retirement rumors concerning team legend Alex Ovechkin.
An email had suggested the 2025-26 season would be the 39-year-old Ovechkin’s final year in the NHL on Thursday.
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Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup PlayoffsCredit: Getty
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The Caps have sent a statement regarding the retirement rumors regarding the 39-year-old OvechkinCredit: Getty
The Capitals sent an email to season-ticket holders calling Ovechkin’s next campaign his last.
Ovechkin has said he plans to play next season, which would be his 21st in the league.
However, the Capitals said on social media that the email isn’t accurate and that “no decision” has been made on Ovechkin’s future beyond next campaign.
“An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year,” the NHL franchise also noted.
Hockey writer Jacob Billington reported that the Capitals sent out an email to season ticket holders that wrote the line, “OCTOBER – the start of Capitals hockey and Alex Ovechkin’s FINAL NHL SEASON.”
The Hockey News reached out to the Capitals, which said the report wasn’t true and then issued a statement of its own.
Ovechkin is coming off a memorable season, to say the least.
He broke Wayne Gretzky’s career goal-scoring record last month and currently has a total of 897.
Ovechkin was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft.
The Russian has since become one of the best hockey players of all time.
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He is the Caps’ leader in goals (897), points (1.623), power-play goals (326), and is second in assists (726).
Ovechkin has played with the Capitals for 20 seasons and has plenty of accolades.
The 13-time NHL All-Star is a three-time MVP, has led the league in scoring nine times, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2006.
And Ovechkin led the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup win in franchise history in 2018.
He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP thanks to that postseason run with his 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 24 games.
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Ovechkin celebrates breaking the NHL record for most goals scored of all time for a playerCredit: Getty
Ovechkin has shown no signs of slowing down.
After suffering a broken leg during the 2024-25 season, he went on to score 44 goals – the third most in the league.
Ovechkin led the Caps to an Eastern Conference-leading 111 points, but the team fell in the second round of the playoffs.
The upcoming campaign is his last on his current contract as he turns 40 in September.