Brad Mills-Imagn Images

Ovechkin Hints Leaving NHL to End Career in Russia

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 4:08 PM ET

What Alex Ovechkin does to close out his hockey career may have gotten a big update on Tuesday. Speculation was that he would end his career in Russia, and his long-anticipated homecoming is starting to feel very real.

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer confirmed Tuesday that he intends to finish his professional hockey career outside of the NHL, bringing an eventual close to one of the most iconic tenures in league history. Speaking to Washington Capitals blog RMNB, Ovechkin said his goal is to return to Dynamo Moscow, the club where his professional journey began.

“I really want to come back and end my career at Dynamo Moscow,” Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin’s contract with the Capitals expires this summer, and it hasn’t been determined officially if he will re-sign with the Caps and return next season or leave the NHL. Sami Silber of The Hockey News posted on X.com, “Alex Ovechkin hasn’t made any decisions regarding his NHL future. That’s been the case and has been the case. When he’s ready, he’ll announce that choice himself. Don’t read into the report about him speaking with the KHL president in the summer. He keeps in touch with the league back home, nothing new.”

Still, one thing seems clear: the end of his NHL career is no longer a distant thought.

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is already preparing for the possibility. KHL president Alexei Morozov confirmed the league plans to speak with Ovechkin this summer, while emphasizing that no pressure is being applied during the NHL season.

“We’re not bothering him right now, because he has an NHL contract,” Morozov said, adding that the league would be “delighted” if Ovechkin chooses to continue his career in the KHL.

Back in Washington, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick acknowledged that formal discussions about Ovechkin’s future haven’t taken place. “Haven’t really had that conversation,” Patrick said. “It didn’t really get too much into his future outside of this year.”

Ovechkin has 48 points in 59 games this season and hasn’t missed a game due to injury. With the 900-goal and 1,500-game milestones already behind him, the question is no longer what he has left to accomplish in the NHL.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: