Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin is in his 22nd NHL season, and it turns out this will be his final chapter in a storied career.
On Monday, a video surfaced of Ovechkin speaking to his teammates and saying that he will retire following the 2026-27 NHL season.
Alex Ovechkin announced to his teammates this morning that this season will be his final in the NHL https://t.co/wnnnkrIl5U
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 5, 2026
Ovechkin also posted a statement on social media announcing the same thing.
Here’s part of what that read.
“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL,” said Ovechkin. “I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses.”
Alex Ovechkin announces this will be his final #NHL season. From #ALLCAPS: https://t.co/Naem06Kh1t
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 5, 2026
Ovechkin was the No. 1 overall pick by the Capitals in 2004, and he has spent his entire career in Washington, D.C. He is also the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C. sports history.
Ovechkin also joined five other NHL legends as the only players to spend 22 seasons with the same franchise, and he is also on the cusp of several other accomplishments.
Here are some feats Ovechkin could achieve this season, per the Capitals website.
=
- 11 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (1,016) for the most combined goals (regular season + playoffs) in NHL history
- 4 assists shy of passing Nicklas Backstrom (762) for the most assists in franchise history
- 12 points shy of 1,700 career points
- 25 games shy of 1,600 career games
- 36 points shy of passing Mario Lemieux for the 9th-most points in NHL history
- 33 games shy of passing Patrick Marleau (1,607) for the 2nd-most games played with one franchise in NHL history
- 1 20-goal season shy of tying Gordie Howe (22) for the most in NHL history
Ovechkin is also first in NHL history in 10 different categories, including goals and power-play goals, and he is tied for first with 9 50-goal seasons.
Ovechkin signed a one-year deal with the team over the summer, so questions swirled about whether or not this would be the last chapter, and now he has made that decision.
The Capitals ‘ season opener will be on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena.
