Ovechkin tells Capitals teammates this will be his last NHL season

ARLINGTON, Va. –  Alex Ovechkin announced to his Washington Capitals teammates before practice Monday that this will be his final season in the NHL.

“This is going to be my last year, I’m pretty sure,” Ovechkin said in a video posted on the Capitals' social media. “It’s for me, for my family, it’s way important for you guys to know first. It’s sad, but it is what it is."

Ovechkin, the NHL record holder with 929 career goals, is in his 22nd season in the League, all with Washington, which selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. The 41-year-old left wing had one assist in Washington’s first two games.

The Capitals play their home opener against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT).

“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL,” Ovechkin said in a statement posted on the Capitals website. “I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them. I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career. See you Wednesday, babes!”

Ovechkin signed a one-year contract July 2 that includes $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus in hope of adding a second Stanley Cup championship to the one he led the Capitals to in 2018.

“We have an unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin told his teammates. “(There are) 82 games left. Let’s make the playoffs, let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because time flies. For young guys who (are in) first year or experienced guys, remember that moment and enjoy it because, how I said, time flies. It seems like yesterday I was here my first year and right now this is my 22nd year and it goes like this. So, it’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year, all right.”

Ovechkin led the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points while playing all 82 games last season.

In addition to being the NHL’s all-time leader in goals, after surpassing Wayne Gretzky (894) on April 6, 2025, Ovechkin also ranks first in NHL history in power-play goals (331), game-winning goals (141), overtime goals (27), empty-net goals (72), 30-goal seasons (20), 40-goal seasons (14) and 50-goal seasons (nine, tied with Gretzky and Mike Bossy).

Ovechkin also scored 77 goals in the playoffs, including a League-leading 15 during the Capitals’ run to the Cup in 2018, when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player in the postseason. His combined total of 1,006 goals is second in NHL history behind Gretzky’s record of 1,016.  He is second in Capitals history with 759 assists, three behind Nicklas Backstrom’s 762. 

Ovechkin scored 52 goals in 81 games as a 20-year-old rookie in 2005-06 to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Ovechkin won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points in 2007-08 when he had 112 (65 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games to help Washington reach the playoffs for the first time in his career. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player three times (2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13), was voted to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2018-19).

Ovechkin was named Capitals captain on Jan. 5, 2010 and is the longest-tenured captain in team history, wearing the C for more than 16 years. The Capitals qualified for the playoffs in 16 of Ovechkin’s first 21 seasons, including winning their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. They came up short last season, though, finishing three points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third.

Ovechkin has mentioned in the past the possibility of returning to his native Russia to play for Moscow Dynamo in the Kontinental Hockey League. He grew up playing in the Dynamo program, so finishing his playing career there would provide a fitting bookend, but he has yet to announce a decision on that.

Ovechkin won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points in 2007-08 when he had 112 (65 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games to help Washington reach the playoffs for the first time in his career. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player three times (2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13), was voted to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2018-19).

Ovechkin was named Capitals captain on Jan. 5, 2010 and is the longest-tenured captain in team history, wearing the C for more than 16 years. The Capitals qualified for the playoffs in 16 of Ovechkin’s first 21 seasons, including winning their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. They came up short last season, though, finishing three points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third.

Ovechkin has mentioned in the past the possibility of returning to his native Russia to play for Moscow Dynamo in the Kontinental Hockey League. He grew up playing in the Dynamo program, so finishing his playing career there would provide a fitting bookend, but he has yet to announce a decision on that.