Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Addresses NHL Future After Delaying Retirement

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Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Addresses NHL Future After Delaying Retirement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 7, 2026 7:00 AM ET

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is not retiring after spending the past 21 years playing ice hockey in the NHL.

The Capitals captain signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract on July 2, ending months of uncertainty about whether he would return for a 22nd NHL season.

Ovechkin will turn 41 in September, but the NHL’s all-time goals leader is coming back to the only franchise he's ever played for and a team that has actively strengthened the roster throughout the first weeks of the offseason.

Washington has added Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch, Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais after missing the playoffs in 2026. Ovechkin discussed the revamped roster on Monday, saying it gives the Capitals a chance to contend again.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (8).Bob Frid-Imagn Images

“What management did signing new players, trading for new guys, you can see how (general manager Chris Patrick) said for ‘Carbs’ ( head coach Spencer Carbery), it’s going to be lots of work, lots of thinking of what line combinations are going to be,” Ovechkin said. “We have lots of depth in our lineup, so yeah, I’m very excited.

“I’m very excited for the team and for the fans as well because on the paper, you can see our team is one of the best teams. But now we have to work for the Stanley Cup, for the playoffs first and then the Stanley Cup.”

Ovechkin scored 32 goals and 64 points in 82 games last season. His ice time fell to a career-low 17:27, but he still led Washington in goals and points. He admitted it took “maybe like 10 minutes” for him and the Capitals front office to agree to a new contract.

“I think it took us maybe like 10 minutes,” Ovechkin said. “I called Chris and said, ‘OK, let’s make a deal,’ and he said what was going to happen with the signing bonus and I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’”

The question now is whether next season will be his last, and Ovechkin, as he did last season, left the door open for a return after his new deal expires in July 2027.

“When you look at our roster, it's Stanley Cup contender,” Ovechkin said. “I was talking to my family, my wife, first of all, and she's like, ‘OK, let's play one more year.’

“Or maybe two years. I don't know.”

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

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