Ovechkin Speaks On Playing Career & Future: 'I Didn't Love It, I Would've Quit... I'm Taking It Step By Step'

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has said it before: he loves the game of hockey, and as long as he does, he'll continue to take the ice.

That remains the case, as he said it again during a "Corporation of Good" charity presentation.

"It's inspiring that I have a family, children and friends who support what I do, and I love what I do. If I didn't love it, I would've quit long ago and been enjoying life," Ovechkin said, per TASS.

Ovechkin is going into his 21st NHL season and coming off the most monumental campaign of his career, where he overcame a broken fibula to score 44 goals and overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer.

"My wife and children helped me a lot (after the injury), especially my wife," Ovechkin said. "I was determined to return, but in a different situation, it would've been difficult for me to come back."

Ovechkin is entering the final year of the five-year extension he signed in 2021, and from there, his future remains in flux as he ponders what to do next. He hasn't made any decision regarding whether or not he'll continue playing, and for now, he's taking things one day at a time.

"My future career? I'll be 40 in September," Ovechkin said. "I'm taking it step by step, living in the present,” he added.

Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin Has Earned More In His Career Than Any Other NHLer

When it comes to the NHL, no one has made more money over the course of their career than Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.

Per Sportrac, Ovechkin has the most career earnings all-time among NHL players, bringing in a total of $161,720,893. Behind him is Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby at $155,890,244, and Evgeni Malkin.

Ovechkin is entering what will be the final year of the five-year extension he signed back in 2021, which carries a cap hit of $9.5 million per season. He has not made a decision regarding whether or not he will continue to play after this season.

The 39-year-old has been in the league since 2005, and has since had quite the impact. This past year, he scored 44 goals in 65 games — the third-most in the league — to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goals leader. He broke the record on April 6 against the New York Islanders.