Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Unsure If He'll Retire After 2025-26 NHL Season

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is unsure if the 2025-26 season will be his last NHL campaign, per comments made to reporters on Thursday.

Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading goalscorer last season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's record. His 897 career goals are among his many accolades amassed over a 20-year career.

Ovechkin is entering the final season of a five-year, $47.5 million contract, making him a free agent after 2025-26.

Ovechkin was tremendous over 65 games last season, scoring 44 goals and posting 29 assists before adding another five goals over 10 playoff matchups. It was a remarkable run for a few reasons. For starters, Ovechkin did all that at the age of 39 in his 20th NHL season. However, he also missed 16 games due to a broken fibula suffered on Nov. 18, 2024, but he still excelled upon his return.

Needless to say, Ovechkin hasn't shown signs of slowing down.

Thursday did bring about some concern, as Ovechkin left his team's first training camp practice with a lower body injury, per the team. Thankfully, he's just day-to-day, and Caps head coach Spencer Carbery said it's "nothing significant."

We'll see what this year brings soon enough, when the Capitals begin the season on Oct. 8 at home against the Boston Bruins.