'I Will Cry Later': Alex Ovechkin Shares True Thoughts on Breaking Gretzky's Record and Possibly Retiring

But Ovechkin said that his career is still ongoing and that the realization of having accomplished an incredible feat of NHL history still hasn't fully hit him

The realization of the record will come when I finish my career. Mine is still going on. But I see the excitement around me. I understand that it's really cool. People watched, cheered, worried. Everyone who comes up to me really knows that this happened.

I understand that thanks to my family, father, mother, wife, friends, team, I did it. I realize that I have a wonderful career when this drive passes. And now I just see that there is hype. Were there tears of joy? I will cry later.

Last month, Ovechkin was asked about his remaining career in the NHL, and he said it's a decision he'll make after playing out the last year of his current deal in Washington.

We are not in negotiations yet. Would I like to stay at the club? A year will pass, and we will think about it. We will live and see.

Ovechkin will be 40 years old when the new season begins.

Alex Ovechkin's wife appeared to hint at a return to Russia

Earlier this year, Ovechkin's wife Nastya appeared to hint that 2025-26 could be his final year in the NHL and that the family will return to their native Russia afterward.

Alexander still has a contract for a year. So we will play the next season, and then fly back to live in Moscow, to our homeland. We will stay in Russia, yes.

Whenever it is that his career ends, Ovechkin is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer.