Alex Ovechkin Has Sights Set On Stanley Cup Entering 21st NHL Season With Capitals, Comments Again On Future

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has his eyes on the ultimate prize going into a pivotal year for him and the organization.

Entering what will be his 21st NHL season, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s eyes are on the ultimate prize.

The 39-year-old has his sights set on competing for another Stanley Cup, as he told Mash on Sport following the Ovi Cup gala match in Russia on Saturday.

“The goal for the season is to play well and try to win the Stanley Cup,” Ovechkin said nonchalantly.

Ovechkin no longer faces the pressure of chasing the NHL’s all-time goals record, as he overtook Wayne Gretzky with his 895th goal toward the end of last season. He now has 897 career NHL goals and is on pace to be the first player in league history to hit 900 this coming season.

The Capitals star’s 44 goals, which were the third-most in the league last season, were pivotal in helping Washington return to form and finish atop the Eastern Conference in 2024-25. However, the team ultimately fell in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.

There were reports that this coming season could be Ovechkin’s last in the NHL, given it’s the final year of the five-year extension he signed in 2021. However, Ovechkin continues to stand by the fact that he’s undecided about his future following this year.

“We’ll see,” Ovechkin said in response to this potentially being his final run with D.C.