Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, confirmed that the 2026-27 season will be his last in the league after 22 years — all of which he’s spent with the Washington Capitals.
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Ovechkin, 41, told his teammates Monday morning, informing the locker room of his decision before the Capitals announced it.
“It’s sad,” he told his teammates. “But, you know, it is what it is. We have an unbelievable team this year. Eighty-two games left. Let’s make the playoffs. Let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because, you know, time flies. For young guys who are in [their] first year or experienced guys, remember the moment and enjoy the time.
“It seems like yesterday I was here in my first year and, right now, this is my 22nd year. It goes like this. It’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year.”
There was speculation that Ovechkin would hang it up after last season. He had already passed Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record in April 2025, and he was a free agent for the first time in his career. For Ovechkin, the decision was between stepping away from the league or returning to the Capitals. Playing for another NHL team was never an option.
He mulled the decision for a few months. During that time, the Capitals loaded up on talent, signing forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais and acquiring forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou in trades. After missing the playoffs last season, the Capitals were positioning themselves to make a deep run this season.
Ovechkin wanted to be a part of it. In July, he signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal to return for a 22nd season with one caveat: This would be his last.
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He and his family made the decision over the summer, he said. In a statement, Ovechkin explained that he made the announcement before Wednesday’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins so that he could properly thank the people who helped him reach this point.
“I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special,” Ovechkin said. “I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career.”
The Capitals drafted Ovechkin with the first overall pick in 2004. In addition to being the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 929, he’s ranked first all-time in power-play goals (331), overtime goals (27), game-winning goals (141) and 50-goal seasons (nine). He’s the longest-tenured athlete in the history of D.C. professional sports franchises and one of five NHL players to spend 22 seasons with one franchise.
Ovechkin has been Washington’s captain for 16 of those seasons. The Capitals have made the playoffs 16 times with him on their roster, and he led them to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
The Capitals are 1-1 to begin the 2026-27 season. Ovechkin recorded an assist in the season-opening win at the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. His ice time has been drastically lower after he missed the preseason with a lower body injury; he’s averaging just 13 minutes 10 seconds, compared with 20 minutes 27 seconds a year ago.
Ovechkin was born in Moscow and plans to live in Russia after leaving the Capitals. He’s stirred up controversy throughout his career for his allegiance with Vladimir Putin, including an appearance last month in a campaign video for United Russia, the country’s governing party that supports the Russian president. Ovechkin defended the decision.
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