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'Until It Smacks Us All in the Face': Capitals’ Tom Wilson Gets Honest on Alex Ovechkin’s Retirement Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Alex Ovechkin is entering the final year of his contract with the Washington Capitals, and for now, he is not planning too far ahead.

Ovechkin scored 44 goals last season despite missing 16 games with a broken leg, lifting his career total to 897. "The Great Eight" is now just three shy of becoming the first player to reach 900 regular-season goals, while also sitting nine games from the 1,500 mark.

Longtime Ovechkin teammate Tom Wilson took a light approach to a question related to the uncertainty surrounding Ovechkin's future with the Capitals, and hockey overall.

“If he’s playing well and he’s scoring goals and he wants to stick around, I’m sure they will figure a way to keep him around. If he doesn’t want to play another year, then he won’t play a year,” Wilson said. “I think he’s a guy that’s just a staple here. No one will really think about him not being around here until it smacks us all in the face.”

Tom Wilson says Alex Ovechkin’s potential retirement hasn’t been on his mind yet:

“No one will really think about him not being around here until it smacks us all in the face.”
— Katie Adler (@katieEadler) September 18, 2025

Asked at media day about his impending retirement or signing of an extension with the Capitals, the 40-year-old captain brushed aside speculation.

“No, (I have not thought about that) yet,” Ovechkin said. “So, we’ll see what’s going to happen. I just came back (to Washington) almost a week ago, so I’m pretty sure we have lots of time to talk.”

Even though Ovechkin still has a few milestones at an arm's reach, the Russian winger said the focus this year is less about milestones and more about team success.

“You just get tired to hear, ‘When’s it going to happen? Are you going to do it?’” Ovechkin said. “Right now, we’re just focusing on different things.”

General manager Chris Patrick emphasized the organization’s patience when it comes to Ovechkin's future, leaving the door open to all options when the right time arrives.

“I want him to have the space to have this season go how he wants it to go,” Patrick said. “If he wants to talk, we’ll talk. If not, we’ll figure it out later.”

The Capitals open their season on October 8 against the Boston Bruins, with Ovechkin’s future beyond this year still undecided.

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

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