Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ long-standing captain, has one year remaining on his current contract and plans to complete the 2025-26 NHL season. However, uncertainty continues to surround whether he will retire after that campaign or extend his playing career beyond it, keeping fans and the hockey community unsettled.

Recently, confusion arose when a member of the Capitals’ corporate sales team sent an email to select season-ticket holders, indicating that the 2025-26 season would mark Ovechkin’s final year. This claim gained further attention as Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya Ovechkina, mentioned in an interview in Russia that the family intends to return to their home country for good once Ovechkin finishes his NHL career next year.

Conflicting Reports from Insider Sources

Despite these public signals, a source close to Ovechkin told RG Media’s Sergey Demidov that no final decision has been made regarding his retirement. According to the source, Ovechkin remains committed to fulfilling his contractual obligations for the upcoming season but is still weighing whether he will keep playing in Washington afterward.

“Alex has not made a decision to retire from the NHL in 2026,”

the source said.

“His position remains the same – he has a contractual obligation to play the 2025-26 NHL season, after which he will decide whether to remain with Washington or not.”

This statement aligns with the official reaction from the Capitals’ public relations team, which clarified the misinformation stemming from the corporate sales email.

“No decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future following the 2025-26 NHL season,”

the team stated.

“An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year.”

Ovechkin’s Recent Performance and Media Availability

Ovechkin, who will turn 40 in September, continues to perform at an elite level, showing no obvious decline in his game. In the 2024-25 season, he tied for the third-highest goal total league-wide, accumulating 73 points (44 goals, 29 assists) in 65 games despite missing 16 games due to a broken leg. Without that injury, he was on track to achieve his 10th 50-goal season, which would have set a new NHL record.

During this time, the Capitals succeeded as a team, finishing first in the Eastern Conference and registering their first 50-win season since 2016-17. Under head coach Spencer Carbery, the team looks poised to be a consistent playoff contender, which could influence Ovechkin’s decision to continue.

Ovechkin has only confirmed publicly that he will play next season, with no further comments on his retirement plans. He is currently preparing for a family vacation in Turkey and is not expected to speak to the media again until mid-July.

Factors Influencing Ovechkin’s Retirement Choice

The source close to Ovechkin emphasized the captain’s honesty about his ability to perform at the highest level:

“Alex has always been honest with himself and the hockey community,”

the source added.

If he feels he can no longer play at the highest level, he won’t continue playing just for the sake of staying.

Looking ahead, the same source suggested that if Ovechkin maintains his current performance and receives an appealing contract offer from the Capitals, it could encourage him to extend his career.

“If next year he continues to play at the same level, and the Capitals offer him a worthy contract, there wouldn’t be many reasons for Alexander to refuse,”

the source said.

“However, any decision will ultimately be made by Ovechkin himself, but only next year.”

Implications for Ovechkin’s Legacy and the Capitals

Alex Ovechkin’s choice about retirement after 2026 will have significant implications for both his legacy and the Washington Capitals’ future. As a player who has profoundly shaped the franchise’s identity, his continuation could keep the team competitive at a high level. Conversely, his departure would usher in a new era for the Capitals, prompting roster and leadership adjustments.

With no final decision yet, Ovechkin’s stance remains an open question, fueling speculation and keen interest among fans, analysts, and the broader NHL community as the 2025-26 season approaches.