Capitals Sign Alex Ovechkin To One-Year Contract

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Capitals Sign Alex Ovechkin To One-Year Contract

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors
By Brennan McClain | Last updated Jul 2, 2026 1:18 PM ET

The “w8” is over. According to a team announcement, the Washington Capitals have signed Alex Ovechkin to a one-year, $4.25MM contract for the 2026-27 season. Next season will be Ovechkin’s 22nd in the NHL, and likely his last.

According to Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network, Ovechkin will earn a salary of $1MM for the 2026-27 season. Additionally, he has a $4.75MM bonus at 10 games played, and a $3.25MM signing bonus. Essentially, unless something goes horribly wrong, Ovechkin will take home $9MM next season.

In the press release from Washington, Ovechkin said:

“I’m back. Thank you to everyone for giving me & my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back & join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”

Already the sport’s greatest goal-scorer in the regular season, Ovechkin has one more of Gretzky’s records to break this season. Including the playoffs, Gretzky finished his illustrious career with 1,016 goals. At the time of writing, Ovechkin is sitting at 1,006.

Considering that even at 4o years old, Ovechkin is coming off his 20th 30-goal campaign, he should have no issues reaching 11 tallies this year. Once he does that, he will formally have the title of the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history.

Furthermore, after barely missing the playoffs last season, the Capitals have gotten aggressive this offseason. Even outside of bringing back Ovechkin, Washington also added Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner to their forward corps. Depth has become the name of the game for Stanley Cup champions of late, and the Capitals are right up there with the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers in terms of offensive firepower.

Because of their aggression this summer, not only will the Capitals allow Ovechkin to reach a believed-to-be unbreakable personal feat, but also have a legitimate chance at the second Stanley Cup ring of his career.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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