Alex Ovechkin is not ready to head off into retirement. The Washington Capitals had their season break-down day Thursday, and Ovechkin said that he doesn’t think he is ready to say goodbye to his hockey career at this point.
The 40-year-old Capitals captain wants to make sure his family his on board with a decision to return to action, he has to make sure his body is recovered from the wear and tear he took during the recently completed season and he wants to make sure the Capitals have a team that can be competitive next season.
However, it seems clear Ovechkin wants to play next season, and he made a fairly decisive statement. “To be honest with you, I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game. I hope it’s not my last game, against Columbus,” Ovechkin said. “I have to make a decision to see where we’re at. The team, family. The kids are already asking me, ‘Dad, are you staying or no?’ And I tell them, ‘We’ll see.’ They want me to come back. They love the city, they love the team, they love the boys.”
Ovechkin’s contract is up now that the season has concluded. He says it’s unlikely that he would play for another team besides the Capitals.
Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer during the 2024-25 season when he passed Wayne Gretzky. He continued to put the puck in the net this season as he had 32 goals and 32 assists.
While he is not the dominant player he was during his peak seasons, he still has a wicked shot and knows how to make plays around the net.
Alex Ovechkin is not ready to head off into retirement. The Washington Capitals had their season break-down day Thursday, and Ovechkin said that he doesn’t think he is ready to say goodbye to his hockey career at this point.