The Washington Capitals captain and NHL's all-time goals leader said he and his family made the decision over the summer, and that he plans to spend the final season enjoying the game with teammates and fans.
 |
| Ovechkin celebrates the Capitals’ 2018 championship. |
Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's career goals leader, said Monday, Oct. 5, that the 2026-27 season will be his last. The 41-year-old Washington Capitals captain shared the news in a statement on social media and had already told his teammates earlier in the day.
"My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL," Ovechkin said in the statement. "I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it's the right decision."
Why he announced it now
Ovechkin said he wanted to make the news public before the Capitals' first home game, which is Wednesday. That gave him a chance to thank the people around the game who have supported him and his family through good times and tough losses. "I wouldn't have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them," he said.
He also said he is looking forward to the season. "I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special," the statement said. He added that he plans to enjoy every moment with his family, his boys, fans and others connected to his hockey career. He closed the message with "See you Wednesday, babes!"
Message to the locker room
Ovechkin first delivered the news to his teammates. "It's sad, but it is what it is," he told them. "It's hard, but let's enjoy it and let's do some special things this year."
He also spoke about the team's outlook. "We have an unbelievable team this year," he said. "Let's make the playoffs, let's have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly."
Contract and current season
Ovechkin signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million in July to return for his 22nd NHL season. The contract carries a salary cap hit of $4.25 million. He will earn an additional $4.75 million bonus if he appears in 10 games. Through two games this season, he has one assist.
A career spent in Washington
Ovechkin has played his entire NHL career with the Capitals, who took him first overall in the 2004 draft. A native of Moscow, he debuted in October 2005 and quickly became one of the league's top scorers. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2006 and the Art Ross Trophy as the league's scoring leader in 2008.
In April 2025, he passed Wayne Gretzky's long-standing record of 894 regular-season goals to become the NHL's career leader. He entered this season with 929 regular-season goals and 77 more in the playoffs. That is 1,006 combined, which puts him within reach of Gretzky's combined NHL record of 1,016. Over 1,575 games, he has 1,688 career points.
Last season, he played all 82 games and finished with 32 goals and 64 points. He has scored at least 30 goals in an NHL-record 20 seasons.
Honors and team success
- Nine Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the league's top goal scorer
- Three Hart Trophies and three Ted Lindsay Awards, won in 2008, 2009 and 2013
- The Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2025
- Eight selections to the NHL's first All-Star team
- A spot on the NHL's list of its 100 greatest players, named in 2017
The biggest team achievement came in 2018, when he captained Washington to its first Stanley Cup championship. He scored a playoff-leading 15 goals and had 27 points in 24 games, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Under his leadership, the Capitals have also won 10 division titles and three Presidents' Trophies.
Internationally, Ovechkin played for Russia in three Winter Olympics, finishing fourth in 2006, sixth in 2010 and fifth in 2014. He also played in 13 World Championships and won gold in 2008, 2012 and 2014.
What comes next
The Capitals open at home Wednesday, and Ovechkin will play his final NHL season from there. Washington's stated goal for the year, in Ovechkin's words, is to make the playoffs and have fun along the way.