Alex Ovechkin Says He Is 'Pretty Sure' Season Finale Won't Be His Last Game

Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, stated he is "pretty sure" that Tuesday's season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets will not be his last NHL game. The 40-year-old said he plans to make a decision on his future after consulting with his family and the Capitals, with the offseason set as the timeframe for that decision.

Ovechkin has not yet spoken with Capitals general manager Chris Patrick about his future but joked he would like to hear from him with a contract offer: "We want you for two more years.

" He also acknowledged his children want him to return, telling them "We'll see," and said they love the city, the team, and the boys. The Capitals won Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the first NHL franchise Ovechkin faced as a rookie in October 2005. " Ovechkin finished the 2025-2026 season with 32 goals and 32 assists, playing all 82 games in his 21st NHL season.

He currently has 929 career goals in 1,573 games and passed Wayne Gretzky last year for the most regular-season goals in NHL history. The Capitals failed to qualify for the postseason this season. Factors influencing Ovechkin's decision include the Capitals' ability to make the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup, as well as considerations about his family and health.

He noted that training in the summer is harder at age 40 than at 20 and that a hamstring injury in the preseason affected his season. Ovechkin also left open the possibility of playing in the Russian KHL if he does not return to the NHL, recalling his five seasons with Moscow Dynamo before and during his NHL career.

Ovechkin stated he would "probably not" play for another NHL team if he does not return to Washington.

He is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2026. The Capitals' home finale on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins featured video tributes to Ovechkin and his rivalry with Sidney Crosby. " during the game.

After the game, Crosby had the Penguins ready for a postgame handshake line with Ovechkin, but Ovechkin waved it off, later thanking them for waiting.

“I'm pretty sure this is not my last game," Ovechkin said regarding Tuesday's finale. > "We'll see," he told his children when asked if he would stay. > "Thanks to them for waiting out there," Ovechkin said about the Penguins' handshake line.”