Despite his kids’ eagerness to stay in Washington, D.C., Ovechkin will need to consider whether he can adequately prepare for another season. He started his press conference by stating this was “the fastest season I played through my career”, so Washington’s leader understands that this summer is critical if he chooses to return.
“In the summer, you have to work you have to work you ass off to get better and be in better shape. When you’re 20, it’s no big thing. When you’re 40, it’s harder and harder.”
When asked if he would play for another NHL franchise, Ovechkin’s classic grin and cheeky response “I’m a free agent.” drew a laugh from the crowd of media members before he quickly followed up with a “probably not” in response to wearing another NHL team’s colors.
Ovechkin Needs Playoff-Caliber Roster to Return
The decision comes down to many factors, but the one under the control of general manager Chris Patrick will be roster construction. The Capitals have a projected $36.5 million in cap space heading into the offseason, according to PuckPedia. That number likely decreases by $10 million if Washington can come to terms with the 14th captain in franchise history.
“If I want to come back… first of all, it would have to be to make the playoffs,” Ovechkin stated. “We have to fight for a Cup. It’s probably the biggest thing. Otherwise, if you take different scenarios, family-wise, health-wise, but team-wise, this would be the most important thing for me.”
Four members of the 2025-26 Capitals squads are set to join Ovechkin as UFAs: Brandon Duhaime, David Kampf, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Timothy Liljegren. If all four members hit the free-agent market, Washington will clear nearly $9 million in salary next season. Accounting for an estimated team-friendly salary for an Ovechkin contract next season, Washington would have approximately $26 million to improve the roster without any additional subtractions.
Ovechkin Impressed by Capitals Youth Movement
It won’t take a roster overhaul for Ovechkin to be convinced to return. He saw young players step up after John Carlson was shockingly traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the 2026 Trade Deadline. The infusion of youth, including teenagers Cole Hutson and Ilya Protas, helped keep the Capitals in playoff contention down the season’s final days.
“You can see it, Leon (Leonard), Little Pro (Ilya Protas), Huts (Hutson), they are going to be great players in this league,” Ovechkin said. “To have that experience because we are fighting for a playoff spot. It was kind of like 10 to 12 games were basically, for us, it was like Game 7.”
Leonard, 21, scored 20 goals and amassed 45 points in 75 games during his first full season on NHL duty. Huston, 19, scored three goals and recorded 10 points in his first 14 NHL games after his arrival from the NCAA’s Boston University. Protas, 19, scored once and added three assists for four points in his first four NHL contests after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears on April 6.
If Ovechkin decides to commit to Washington for the 2026-27 season (or more), these three players will likely have to do some heavy lifting while on their rookie deals. Luckily for the Capitals, none of them seemed overwhelmed while competing in the world’s best hockey league. Washington’s stars of the future will certainly benefit from another season of tutelage under the NHL’s greatest goal scorer, if he chooses to return to Washington.