Ovechkin Calls Retirement Rumors 'Pure Nonsesnse,' Doesn't Rule Out Continuing Career With Capitals After Next Year
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin didn't rule out returning to the NHL for 2026-27.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has put to rest the speculation regarding whether or not last season will be his last in the NHL.
Rumors started to swirl following a marketing email sent in error by the Capitals in late May that referred to next season as Ovechkin’s last, followed by an interview with his wife, Nastya, where she said they may return to Russia after his contract expires.
Speaking with Sport-Express, Ovechkin said that he hasn’t made any decision regarding his NHL future, and called any rumors about it “pure nonsense.”
“(My wife said in an interview) maybe we will come and play in Russia, but anything can happen,” Ovechkin said, per a DeepL translation. “This is pure nonsense that (the mieda) flipped things and put Nastya in that position.”
When asked if he would keep playing in the NHL after next year, Ovechkin again didn’t rule anything out.
“Anything can happen,” he said.
The 39-year-old is entering his 21st NHL season and the final year of the five-year extension he signed in 2021. He is coming off a historic year where he scored 44 goals — the third most in the league — to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, despite missing 16 games with a broken leg.
Ovechkin also mentioned in our 1-on-1 this past season that he loves the game, and as long as he continues to love it, he’ll keep playing.
Ovechkin has started training for the upcoming season and is back in the gym, and was back on the ice for a charity game between NHL and KHL All-Stars on Sunday. He scored a goal and was also honored with an on-ice ceremony, where he was gifted a new car.