Alex Ovechkin Hints at Return for 2026-27 NHL Season with Capitals amid Retirement Rumors

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said Thursday he's "pretty sure" his NHL career didn't end with Tuesday's regular-season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I'm pretty sure it's not my last game. I hope it's not my last game against Columbus," Ovechkin said Thursday, per The Hockey News' Sammi Silber. "How I said, I have to make a decision."

Ovechkin was also asked what he hopes to hear from Capitals general manager Chris Patrick this offseason, per Silber.

"Two more years. Here's your contract," Ovechkin answered.

Ovechkin played on an expiring deal this season, which ended earlier this week after the Capitals fell short of the playoffs.

He previously expressed hope immediately after his team wrapped up the season with a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets earlier this week that this wouldn't be his final NHL game, but emphasized he didn't yet "know what's gonna happen."

That echoes what Ovechkin said in an interview published last week by the Capitals, in which he confirmed had to consult with both his family and the Capitals front office before making any conclusions about his next contract.

"Health-wise, I'm going to be 41 years old in September. We just have to be smart about it," Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin finished his 21st season in Washington having played in all 82 games while recording 32 goals and 32 assists.

This marked the 20th time Ovechkin has cleared the 30-goal plateau, extending his all-time NHL record over Mike Garner (17 seasons with 30 goals).

It also helped extend his lead over Wayne Gretzky as the league's all-time leading goalscorer, a record Ovechkin broke with goal No. 895 in April 2025.

That total had reached 929 goals as of last Saturday, when Ovechkin scored his last tally of the season in a road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ovechkin received tributes from both the Penguins and the Capitals during a home-and-home set between the two Metro rivals capped off by the last home game of the Caps' season on Sunday.

When the Penguins tried to stay on the ice to shake Ovechkin's hand after the Capitals' win on Sunday, however, Ovechkin waved them off.

The Capitals are one season removed from finishing the regular season on top of the Eastern Conference and advancing past the second round, and they'll likely hope to make it back to the playoffs next spring by retooling around their young core.

How much weight Ovechkin, who led the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in 2018, puts on trying to end his career with another playoff run could potentially play a role in whether he decides to return for a 22nd year in D.C.