James Guillory-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin Makes Retirement Admission Amid 21st NHL

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 9:54 AM ET

The Washington Capitals will return from the Olympic break trying to make a postseason push during the final stretch of the 2025–26 season.

On top of questions about whether the Capitals will make the playoffs, there is uncertainty surrounding the future of captain Alex Ovechkin and his looming retirement.

The 40-year-old is in the final season of his five-year, $47.5 million contract, and speculation has intensified about whether this season could mark the end of his NHL career, with just two months left in the regular season.

Ovechkin spoke to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti on Thursday to reveal where he is in the process of making a decision on whether to retire after the 2025-26 campaign.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) prepares for a faceoff.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

“No, I don’t know yet,” Ovechkin said. “We have to make a decision. We have to talk with the family, with [Capitals owner] Ted [Leonsis], [general manager Chris Patrick], and then we'll see.”

Ovechkin added that a final decision will “probably” have to wait until after the season, instead of being made while the Capitals are still competing.

Ovechkin remains productive despite his age, having 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 total points in 59 games played this season. He's averaging 17 minutes, 52 seconds per night, and he has posted a plus-2 plus/minus valuation.

"I don’t know yet. We have to make a decision."

Alex Ovechkin says his he'll "probably" wait until after the season to decide if this will be his last season in the NHL. For now, he's focused on trying to help the Capitals qualify for the playoffs:https://t.co/XKrkIrTbGA
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 20, 2026

Washington, meanwhile, is 29-23-7 and sits four points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 23 games remaining in the Capitals' schedule. The Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, currently occupying the wild-card spots, have only played 57 games to Washington's 59.

“We’re going to have to win almost every game to make the playoffs,” Ovechkin said.

The veteran winger became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer last season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky, and returns from the break with 919 career goals.

The Capitals will have $36.5 million in cap space next offseason, but only 16 players under contract, which makes it fair to assume that Ovechkin might have to take a pay cut from his current $9.5 million cap hit if he chooses to return next year.

Washington hosts the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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