Ovechkin Opens Up on Retirement Talk
It's been hanging out there all season long—Will he or won't he? The thought of the legendary Alex Ovechkin hanging up the skates has been plaguing the Washington Capitals and hockey fans everywhere. He was asked about it again, point-blank, in an interview that airs today on the Capitals pre-game show.
Alex Ovechkin sat down with John Walton to discuss his plans to take time after the season to reflect and consult with his family before determining his future this summer.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 8, 2026
Catch their full conversation tonight on Caps Pregame Live on @MonSportsNet pic.twitter.com/J9jAKL5HJE
Ovechkin says that he has not yet made the decision on whether this will be his final season. He says that will come this summer after he talks it over with his family and other key people in the franchise.
“We’re going to make a decision in the summer. I have to talk to my family, with Ted [Leonsis, Capitals owner], KP [GM Chris Patrick) and Mac [president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan].”
The No. 1 most important factor in Ovechkin's retirement decision
The 40-year-old Ovi, hockey's all-time leading goal scorer, has a big decision to make. But the No. 1 most important factor in coming to that decision, he says, will be health.
Health-wise. I’m going to be 41 years old in September, so you just have to be smart about it.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record of 894 at the end of last season, and has since surpassed 900 career goals. In this, his 21st season, he's recorded yet another 30-goal campaign (31 goals, 30 assists), bringing his career totals to 928 goals, 756 assists and 1,684 points.
Ovi is a 3-time Hart Trophy winner, a 9-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, and 2018 Stanley Cup champion.
In addition to holding the all-time mark in total goals, he is also the NHL's all-time best in power play goals with 331 and game-winning goals with 141.
He becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Photo: © Danny Wild-Imagn Images
