Alex Ovechkin Responds to Retirement Question After Injury Scare

“I just came back (to Washington) almost a week ago, so I’m pretty sure we have lots of time to talk,” Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin scored 44 goals last season despite missing 16 games with a broken leg and appearing in 65 throughout the regular season, pushing his career total to 897. That leaves him three short of becoming the first player to reach 900 goals.

On Thursday, however, Ovechkin was forced to leave the ice early to be evaluated for a lower-body injury. Speaking after practice, coach Spencer Carbery called the move precautionary.

Patrick said the organization will let Ovechkin set the pace for any discussions about his future, not pushing him into making any sort of early decision before he's ready to either commit to one more contract or hang his skates.

“I want him to have the space to have this season go how he wants it to go,” Patrick said. “If he wants to talk, we’ll talk. If not, we’ll figure it out later.”

Asked about his never-ending, record-chasing races, Ovechkin said this season will be different and that he will welcome the chance to focus on broader franchise and team goals now that the chase for Wayne Gretzky’s record is behind him.

“I think you just get tired to hear, ‘When’s it going to happen? Are you going to do it?’” Ovechkin said. “Right now, we’re just focusing on different things,” meaning winning a second Stanley Cup.

The Capitals open the regular season on October 8 against the Boston Bruins, with Ovechkin nine games shy of 1,500 for his career.