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'Call Washington': Alex Ovechkin Responds to Capitals' No. 8 Jersey Retirement Talk

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 7:30 AM ET

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is not ready to talk retirement, but that won't stop the speculation about when the moment will arrive and what will follow it.

Ovechkin made an appearance in Yekaterinburg, Russia, last weekend to play at Pavel Datsyuk’s farewell game.

The Capitals star was asked about the possibility of the Detroit Red Wings retiring the number of the Hockey Hall of Fame member, and about the same thing eventually happening in Washington for his iconic No. 8.

“Of course, he deserves it. But I don't work for Detroit, so I can't say anything” Ovechkin told RIA Novosti's Andrey Senchenko, as translated by Google. "As for the idea of my number being retired by the Capitals, call Washington and find out about it," Ovechkin told reporters."

Pavel Datsyuk, renowned for his exceptional stickhandling and creativity with the puck, was masterful at both ends of the rink. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1998 NHL Draft and spent his entire playing career with the @DetroitRedWings. Datsyuk retired with two Stanley… pic.twitter.com/G5JrsvfvH5
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) October 11, 2024

Ovechkin's comments came shortly after the Capitals captain told Russian outlet Peterburg2 that he has not even thought about retirement as he prepares for his 21st NHL season, the last left on his five-year, $47.5 million contract.

“I understand that hockey is not forever, but I’m not thinking about it now,” Ovechkin said.

Alex Ovechkin and Pavel Datsyuk's NHL Legacies

About to turn 40 years old, Ovechkin remains active and is still one of the NHL’s top scorers these days.

Ovechkin finished last season with 44 goals in just 65 games, ranking third in the league despite missing time with a broken fibula early in the 2024-25 season.

Once he came back, he did enough to break Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record in April, and Ovechkin will enter next season with 897 goals, three away from becoming the first player to hit 900.

Datsyuk, meanwhile, retired with 314 goals and 918 points, two Stanley Cups to Ovechkin's one, and three Selke Trophies as the NHL's top defensive forward.

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

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