Capitals say false alarm on Ovechkin retirement announcement sent to season ticket holders

The Capitals put out a statement shortly thereafter, that read:

“No decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future following the 2025-26 NHL season. An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year.”

Ovechkin is heading into the final year of his current contract with the Capitals, and with him having broken Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record already this season, it wouldn’t be that crazy for 2025-26 to be Ovechkin’s last. Ovechkin will turn 40 in September.

No matter the case, it’s not hard to imagine why the Capitals would be quick to try to put this fire out and quiet the noise. With 1491 regular season games and 161 playoff games all played in a Capitals uniform — not to mention bringing the franchise it’s first Stanley Cup back in 2018 — Ovechkin deserves to be the one to make the announcement if this will indeed be his final NHL season.

Ovechkin broke the all-time goals record late this past season thanks to a 44 goal campaign which helped the Capitals win the Metropolitan Division for the first time since the 2019-20 season. After winning their first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens in five games, the Capitals were bounced by the Carolina Hurricanes in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It remains to be seen if 2025-26 will indeed be Ovechkin’s final NHL season. If it is, he will retire as the game’s most talented goalscorer and a player synonymous with greatness in the NHL since the mid 2000s. Next season would be Ovechkin’s 21st in the NHL after going first overall to the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft.