The Washington Capitals’ captain, Alex Ovechkin, continues to demonstrate remarkable motivation in the NHL despite holding one of the sport’s most prestigious individual records. General manager Chris Patrick and head coach Spencer Carbery recently expressed their belief that Ovechkin remains hungry for success even after surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record in April 2024.
Both Patrick and Carbery spoke with NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti and emphasized that Ovechkin’s desire to perform and lead has not diminished following his historic achievement.
Unwavering Determination and Defying Expectations
Carbery noted the persistence in Ovechkin’s motivation and competitiveness, saying,
“Just because he’s broken the record, I don’t see his motivation level or his determination to try to score and win hockey games changing whatsoever,”
and added,
“You never count out or bet against Alex Ovechkin or cap him at certain expectations.”
Patrick echoed this sentiment and celebrated Ovechkin’s resilience against time and odds:
“He defies logic and Father Time and everything else,”
he said.
“So, I honestly don’t know what to expect with him. Nothing will surprise me because I’ve learned that you can’t be surprised by this guy because he’s just one of one.”
Impressive Performance Despite Injury and Milestones Ahead
During the 2024-25 NHL season, Ovechkin scored 44 goals despite missing 40 days due to a fractured fibula. This brought his career total to 897 goals—just three shy of becoming the first player in league history to reach 900 goals. Moreover, Ovechkin is approaching other significant milestones as he nears his age-40 season.
He is only nine games away from playing in 1,500 career NHL games, a feat achieved by just 22 players before him. Additionally, he is 19 points short of surpassing Joe Sakic for the 10th-most career points with 1,641.
Team Goals and Stanley Cup Ambitions
Though more personal records loom, both Patrick and Carbery believe Ovechkin remains primarily motivated by the desire to bring a second Stanley Cup to the Capitals. Last season, Washington topped the NHL’s Eastern Conference with 111 points, a significant improvement from the previous year’s 91 points, which barely secured a playoff spot.
However, the Capitals fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs, extending their championship drought since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 to seven years.
Carbery reflected on Ovechkin’s mindset after the disappointing loss:
“I think he was really disappointed after the Carolina series,”
he said.
“He is not a hard guy to get up and motivate. You know he’s going to have that smile and he’s going to be ready, and when the puck drops, he’s going to want to win that hockey game, and he’s going to want to put the puck in the back of the net.”
Playoff Contributions and Lessons for the Future
Ovechkin contributed six points in 10 playoff games during the 2024-25 postseason, scoring five goals and one assist. In the series against Carolina, he recorded just one goal, a power-play tally in Game 4. After the series, Ovechkin remained optimistic, telling reporters,
“It’s tough, but that experience that we have this year is going to help for the future a hundred percent.”
Milestones and Winning as Primary Motivation
Chris Patrick highlighted that while Ovechkin has significant milestones within reach at the start of the new season, his main focus remains team success.
“He’s got [a] couple more milestones right off the hop here early in the season that are within reach, so I’m sure those are in the back of his mind, and it will be fun to see when he hits those,”
Patrick said.
“Alex first and foremost wants to win games and win Stanley Cups. I think that was his motivation late in the season, right after he broke the record… and I think that’s what he’d like to do here this season again is try to have a team that can compete for a Cup.”
Ovechkin’s Outlook and Contract Status
Ovechkin reinforced these insights during an August 9 interview with the Russian sports tabloid Mash on sports after the Ovi Cup gala in Moscow. He stated his goal to
“play well and try to win the Stanley Cup”
in the upcoming season.
The 2025-26 season will be Ovechkin’s final year under contract with the Capitals. He has announced that any decisions regarding retirement will be made after the conclusion of this season. He is scheduled to return to the United States from Russia in early September to begin training camp.
In August, Ovechkin remained positive about his preparations, stating,
“Everything is fine, we are preparing with a positive attitude and a good mood,”
Looking Ahead to Another Season with High Expectations
As Alex Ovechkin approaches his age-40 season, the NHL community watches eagerly to see whether he can add to his already legendary legacy. His relentless drive and passion suggest that he will remain a powerful force on the ice, motivated not only by personal achievements but by the pursuit of another Stanley Cup championship with the Capitals. His contract’s final year adds an element of anticipation, making the upcoming season a potential capstone to a remarkable career.