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Alex Ovechkin's Retirement Plans Take Unexpected Turn After Wife's Surprising New Comments

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 9:48 PM ET

Not once but twice this past week has there been an announcement over Alex Ovechkin's retirement, and now his fate has been revealed after recent comments.

The Washington Capitals fell in disappointing fashion in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and now, their off-season has gotten off to a rather intriguing start before the NHL Draft or free agency.

First, it was a staffer with the team accidentally announcing that 2025/26 would be Alex Ovechkin's last in the NHL, before reports revealed that this was an accident and no decisions had been made on Ovi's future in the NHL.

Then, that was followed up by these comments from his wife, that many took to mean he would be retiring following next season, his age-40 season in the National Hockey League.

'Next season is the last' - wife, Anastasia, told newspaper 'Argumenti and Fakti'
'We'll return to Moscow, to our Motherland; we'll remain in Russia'

However, that has now been revealed to be false as well, with the translations from Russian seemingly being taken out of context, as Sammi Silber has set the record straight once again.

At this point in time, there's always a chance that this actually is Ovechkin's last season in the NHL, but for now, the Capitals have made it clear that when it becomes official, it will come from the team or Ovechkin.

Ultimately, at 40-years of age, there's only so much time left in the career of the NHL's all-time greatest goal scorer, so while it's not yet been made official, don't be surprised if the final year left on Ovi's deal is in fact the last year of his NHL career.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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