Alex Ovechkin told reporters Thursday morning that he’s “pretty sure” he \u2060will return for a 22nd NHL season.<\/p>\n
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer addressed his playing future as his Washington Capitals teammates cleaned out their lockers. The team failed to qualify for the \u200bpostseason.<\/p>\n
Ovechkin, who will turn 41 before the \u200cstart of \u200cnext season, finished playing on the final \u200bseason of a five-year, $47.5 million contract following Washington’s 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
“I’m pretty sure \u2060it’s not my last game,” the Capitals’ captain said.\u00a0“I hope it’s not my \u2060last game against Columbus. How I said, I have to make a decision to see \u200bwhere we’re at. Team, family. Obviously my family is going to support me. Kids have already \u2060asked me, \u2018Dad are \u200byou staying or no?’ I told \u200bthem we’ll see.<\/p>\n
“They’re excited. They want me to \u200bcome back \u200cbecause they love the city and the team.”<\/p>\n
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record \u200cwith career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin upped his total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 \u200btimes \u200bthis season.<\/p>\n
Ovechkin had\u00a0a club-best 64 points \u200bthis year to push his career total to 1,687, \u2060which ranks 10th all-time in NHL history.<\/p>\n
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected \u200bby Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three- time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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