There’s a saying about individuals needing to know when it’s time to bow out gracefully. This saying may be utilized to athletes as nicely, figuring out when their prime has expired and whether or not or not it’s time to retire.
Alex Ovechkin, sadly, suits the invoice of a type of skilled athletes whose reached the age the place individuals begin to surprise when he’s going to name it quits. Nevertheless, it seems he has no intention of dropping out earlier than the 2025-26 NHL season.
What Has Alex Ovechkin and His Household Stated About Future Retirement?
Ovechkin is among the most legendary NHL gamers in fashionable historical past. Initially the No. 1 decide within the 2004 NHL Draft, he has performed with the Washington Capitals his whole profession. In 2017, he was named one of many 100 greatest NHL players of all time and most lately broke legend Wayne Gretzky’s document for probably the most profession targets in NHL historical past.
Along with having the most goals in league history, the left wing additionally has probably the most empty-net targets in NHL historical past, probably the most power-play targets, probably the most pictures on purpose, and is a 13-time All-Star choice.
Along with all of this, Ovechkin is a 2018 Stanley Cup winner, 2018 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, and three-time Ted Lindsay Award winner.
Make no mistake, Ovechkin’s success practice isn’t leaving the station anytime quickly, at the least in line with his spouse. On Friday, Might 30, Russian outlet AIF quoted Ovechkin’s spouse, Nastasiya Ovechkina, suggesting that the Capitals forward would return to Russia from the U.S. in 2026.
HE DID IT, HE DID IT ‼️
ALEX OVECHKIN HAS THE MOST GOALS IN NHL HISTORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ej2cclff9y
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 6, 2025
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Ovechkin’s contract with Washington runs by the 2025-26 season.
“Alexander nonetheless has a contract for a 12 months,” Ovechkina said, per a translation by Google Translate. “So we are going to play the subsequent season, after which fly again to reside in Moscow, to our homeland. We are going to keep in Russia, sure.”
The information got here simply someday after an email campaign from the Capitals’ company gross sales division was despatched to a choose group of season-ticket holders, claiming that the 2025-26 season can be Ovechkin’s final with the Caps. Capitals PR responded to the commotion, stating the e-mail was an unlucky and egregious mistake and that no determination had but been made on Ovechkin’s future past subsequent 12 months.
It stays to be seen what his future appears to be like like, however at 39 years outdated, Ovechkin mentioned he’s approaching his upcoming years with a degree head.
“For me, it’s to begin with to make a roster when 40 years outdated, you understand? I’ve to go skating check,” he added. “It’s one factor, after which we’ll see.”
