Penguins' Evgeni Malkin makes huge prediction about Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin amid retirement rumors

Following the Washington Capitals' 3-0 win over a Pittsburgh Penguins side that had nothing to play for on Sunday, Capitals superstar captain Alexander Ovechkin insisted that he hasn't yet decided whether or not he will return for another NHL season, finish his playing career with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL or retire. 

Ovechkin recently hinted that such a call won't be finalized until some point this coming summer. After Sunday's game, Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin offered a prediction regarding how Ovechkin will spend the 2026-27 campaign. 

Why Evgeni Malkin thinks Alexander Ovechkin will make this decision

"I think he plays next year for sure," Malkin said about Ovechkin, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic. "He’s still hungry." 

Ovechkin turns 41 years old this coming September, is in the final season of the five-year, $47.5M contract he signed in 2021 and noticeably is no longer the dominant force he was in his physical prime. That said, ESPN stats show that the NHL's all-time leader in career goals scored leads the 2025-26 Capitals with 32 goals and 63 total points accumulated for the season.

"If he needs anything from my family or me, I’m always open," Malkin added about Ovechkin.

Sidney Crosby reflects on going up against Alexander Ovechkin during their careers

Ovechkin and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby have been responsible for what may be the greatest on-ice rivalry in NHL history over the past two decades. On Sunday, Crosby made it known that he's grateful to have been able to go up against Ovechkin during what became some memorable regular-season and playoff games. 

Crosby’s Penguins beat Ovechkin’s Capitals three times out of four during postseason tournaments en route to claiming the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

"He's had a huge impact on (hockey), on and off the ice," Crosby said about Ovechkin, per Jason Seidling of the NHL's website. "Came in with such high expectations, and I think he matched them, if not more. I mean, how do you live up to those kinds of expectations? But to be the greatest goal scorer of all time, and to do what he's done as consistent as he's been, is pretty impressive. Definitely honored that I've had the opportunity to play with him all these years."

Crosby and Ovechkin could potentially meet again on the ice this spring, as the Capitals would back into the playoffs if they earn a win at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night and the Philadelphia Flyers lose their final two games. 41-27-12 Philadelphia hosts the Carolina Hurricanes (52-22-6) on Monday evening. Carolina may enter the playoffs as the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final and has locked up the top spot in the Metropolitan Division standings.