With this being the final season of Alex Ovechkin’s contract, there has been plenty of speculation as to whether the future Hall of Famer would be hanging up his skates, returning to play in Russia, or staying in the NHL. At various times, it has been speculated that this would be it for him in the NHL while at others, some have suggested that an extension could be coming.
Now several months into the 2025-26 campaign, it doesn’t seem as if Ovechkin is any closer to making a decision on what comes next. Speaking with NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti earlier this week, the 40-year-old indicated that he doesn’t know what comes next. He added that his family and the Capitals organization would be part of the decision-making process, with a final decision unlikely to come until after the season.
Ovechkin has spent his entire 21-year NHL career with Washington after the Caps drafted him first overall back in 2004. He has set multiple league records along the way. On top of taking over the all-time goal record last season (he’s up to 919), he’s also the record-holder for power play goals (330), game-winning goals (140), and shots on goal (7,028). Clearly, there’s nothing left to prove but he can certainly keep adding to his records.
While Ovechkin clearly isn’t the elite winger he was for many years, he’s still a very capable contributor. He has 22 goals and 26 assists this season in 59 games while still logging nearly 18 minutes per night of playing time. His 48 points are one behind Tom Wilson for the team lead. While a decline is likely to come given his age, Ovechkin could certainly contribute for another year.
If Ovechkin decides to re-sign with the Capitals, it’s fair to say that the AAV of the deal wouldn’t check in at the $9.5MM that it’s currently at. However, if he were to re-sign on a one-year pact, he’d become eligible for performance bonuses, which would give Washington some extra flexibility and also give Ovechkin a chance to maximize his earnings.
While the Capitals would undoubtedly like some certainty with Ovechkin’s situation heading into the trade deadline to know if this is his final run or not, it appears that they’ll have to wait a while yet to see what the captain plans to do.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Greatest goal scorer in NHL history!
lol you’re a f****ing joke bud.
Mods can you ban this a**hat? All he does is make this place worse.
48 points in 59 games played at age 40 at this point of the season. The vast majority of NHL players don’t reach that in their prime years. What sort of a take is this?
Between him and the most delusional Tampa fan we’re always graced with great comedy.
Guessing that Nash is the latest incarnation of Wilf. Let him run, the entertainment value is solid.
One lousy cup, For lazy Ovi.
Ovechkin scored the majority of his goals within six feet of the net, And not a single defender within five feet of him, He was a selfish player, And one lousy Stanley Cup, And during the cup season, Barry Trotz was constantly on Ovechkin about being a responsible 200 foot competitor. NOW! Go get your shine box!
So now you need to get racist about it?
Actually Ovi scored the majority of his goals from “his dot” which was about 20 feet from the net. But you keep telling us otherwise Wilf.
Someone is mad his team has never won…
Really selfish with 752 assists. You’re a moron. His goals have actually came from all over the offensive zone if you have watched him his entire career like I have. He is actually a very underrated passer probably because he played with someone named Backstrom who made magic with the puck.
It’s actually a Good Fellas movie reference. Try and keep up Karen.
It’s a Good Fella’s reference, Try and keep up Karen.
22 season’s, One cup, That is magical.
Of course it is…but it’s from back in the day when black people were shoe shiners. Where do you think they get that reference? Just be better dude.
I’m sorry you are stuck with the Calgary Flames, But redirect your anger toward more important causes. Good lord!!!!
If you don’t like my hockey views then ignore them, Or call your local authorities. Or tell your mom and dad.
Back in the day? You have to do better junior, Hows that Morgan Frost card collection coming?
Ok now you’re getting personal lol
Is that a Blues Jersey I see in your picture? I should be consoling you…
I may be “old school” but I have values. Your “Karen” reference tells me that you are too young to know better. Most likely a star player of the “woke” movement. Congratulations.
1,000 goals is the goal.
Ovechkin has more goals this year than Wilf/DogKaren/Nash had in his entire bantam/peewee/street/floor/shiny lifetime. Probably more than the character he creates every year on EA’s NHL brand too. Let alone in one of Ovechkin’s prime seasons. But he knows better than everyone and all in the hockey universe.
GOAT
As a Caps fan this is really a tough thing. On one hand he is just plain fun to watch and why I love hockey. The electricity builds every time he is on the ice. I can’t imagine watching hockey without him. But on the other hand as a Caps fan, what do we do with Ovie and Carlson’s slots? they are still producing much better than 21 year olds but do we use their $19 M for trades or are we with them again. Kinda important answers to know with trade deadline next week. Are we buyers/sellers for long term?
My dream for this season is a great Ovie run, we make playoffs and we get one more Pitt- Was playoff series (with Washington winning of course)
I agree with being torn about this.
I’ve really enjoyed watching the greatest goal scorer play for my favorite team for over 2 decades. This year though his speed is down from last year, the team doesn’t have a great setup guy for him, and its sometimes hard to watch this season.
Ovi has the right to determine how his career ends. If this is it, then this is it. If not, he can put up 20 or so goals on a 2nd line role and power play next season. The Caps do have to start putting the emphasis on who will carry the torch for the rest of the decade and into the 2030s.
Hope he hits 1,000 to be in a class of his own despite having the most in NHL history already, we all would love to see 2 more season for 4 digits