Hockey’s greatest goal-scorer isn’t in a rush to hang up his skates.
Speaking with reporters after signing a one-year deal that will keep him with the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin did not rule out returning for the 2027-28 season.
“We will see,” the 40-year-old said, before adding he’s focused on this upcoming season.
Ovechkin will be 41 when he takes to the ice for his 22nd NHL season in September.
The longtime Capitals captain said he believes his team is still a Stanley Cup contender and discussed with his wife returning on either a one- or two-year deal.
At 1,006 goals including the playoffs, he stands just 10 markers away from Wayne Gretzky’s cumulative total of 1,116. He broke Gretzky’s regular-season record of 894 goals in April 2025, and now sits at 929 across his 1,573-game career.
After bringing in Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues and Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres, in addition to up-and-coming youngsters in Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard, the Capitals appear poised to take a run at the playoffs again after missing the dance this season.
If the Capitals want to repeat their 2018 Stanley Cup, they may only have two more years to do it alongside the best goal-scorer to play the game.