One last season
Alex Ovechkin said on Monday that the 2026-27 season will be his last in the NHL. The Washington Capitals released his statement. He turned 41 last month.
"My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL," Ovechkin said. "I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it's the right decision."
He said he wanted to make the announcement before the Capitals' first home game so he could thank the people who helped him.
A record that will stand for a while
Ovechkin is the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer with 929 goals. He passed Wayne Gretzky's 894 goals in the 2024-25 season and reached 900 last season.
The Capitals took him with the first pick of the 2004 draft. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, and scored twice that night. His announcement came 21 years to the day later.
He has been one of the league's most productive scorers for two decades. He spent his entire career in Washington, where he became the face of the franchise and one of the most recognisable players in the sport.
What the team looks like now
The Capitals missed the playoffs last season. Ovechkin said after the season that he would talk with his family about whether to return.
Washington has been active since then, adding forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais. The roster moves suggest the club wants one more run while Ovechkin is still playing.
Fans now have a full season to follow his farewell tour, including a final home game at Capital One Arena. Opposing arenas are expected to mark his visits as well.