Alex Ovechkin participated in the “Match of the Year” on Sunday, scoring a goal in the Russian NHL stars’ 15-3 victory over the KHL’s best.
After the game, Ovechkin did a press conference with Russian journalists, and spoke about a variety of topics, including the Capitals possibly acquiring Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and his future in the NHL.
Rumors about when Ovechkin would potentially hang up his skates began in late May when a Capitals’ sales department email was sent out to a select group of season-ticket holders, claiming that the 2025-26 season would be Ovi’s last in the NHL. The Capitals PR department responded to the commotion, stating the email was a mistake and that no decision had yet been made on Ovechkin’s future beyond next year.
Shortly after, Ovechkin’s wife Nastya said in an interview that the family would return to Moscow after his five-year deal ends next July.
“Alexander still has a contract for a year,” Ovechkina told AIF.ru, per a translation by Google Translate. “So we will play the next season, and then fly back to live in Moscow, to our homeland. We will stay in Russia, yes.”
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ovechkin clarified his future and left open the possibility that he could play another year past this upcoming season in the NHL if all goes well.
“My wife never confirmed anything,” Ovechkin said and translated by Daria Tuboltseva. “She said we might play in Russia — anything is possible. No date was mentioned. This is nonsense that you guys start twisting around, putting us in an uncomfortable position. We’ll see. Could I stay in the NHL for another season? Anything is possible.”
Capitals president of hockey operations, Brian MacLellan, left the door open on Ovechkin playing past next year while GM Chris Patrick believes with the right usage, the Capitals captain can continue being a positive contributor despite father time being undefeated.
“I think we’ve learned with him to leave possibilities open all the time,” MacLellan said. “I think he had a fun year this year. He really enjoyed himself. The team had a lot of fun together and was successful, and I think he’ll come back, and we’ll see where it goes from there. Hopefully, he has another good year.”
“I think having spoken with him a little bit here after the season, I think he’s pretty aware of where he is in his career, and being 40 next year,” Patrick added. “Not many guys have played in this league at that age, let alone scored as many goals as he has in a season. So I think him and Carbs, they have a great relationship, and they can be open and honest with each other, and I think they’ll be hopefully on the same page with usage and role going forward.”
Heading into his 21st NHL season, Ovechkin sits at 897 career goals, a hat trick away from being the only player in NHL history to score 900 times, and is 77 points away from the 1,700-point milestone. When puck drops for the 2025-26 campaign, Ovechkin will be 40 and will be one of the oldest players in the NHL.
