NHL legend Ovechkin to return to Russia in 2026
NHL star Alexander Ovechkin is reportedly planning to return to Russia in 2026 after completing the final season of his contract with the Washington Capitals. His wife, Anastasia Shubskaya, has told Russian media that the family will move back to Moscow following the 2025–26 NHL season.
'Ovechkin still has a year left on his contract. So, we will play next season and then fly back to Moscow, to our homeland,' Shubskaya said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty. 'We will stay in Russia,' she added.
It follows reports that the upcoming season would be Ovechkin's last in North America. Earlier in May, some Capitals season ticket holders received an email suggesting 2025–26 would mark the end of the Russian forward's career with the franchise. However, the team later stated that the message was sent in error by a corporate sales employee, and no official retirement decision had been made.
Despite that, several statements from Ovechkin's wife have indicated the couple intends to settle in Russia permanently after his NHL career ends.
Ovechkin, 39, recently became the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history. On April 6, 2025, he scored his 895th regular-season goal in a game against the New York Islanders, breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing record of 894. Ovechkin has since added two more goals, bringing his tally to 897. He is now aiming for a personal milestone of 900 regular-season goals – an achievement reportedly encouraged by Gretzky himself.
Following his historic achievement, Ovechkin received congratulations from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Putin called it 'a true celebration for fans in Russia and beyond,' while Trump hailed the Russian star as 'great.'
Ovechkin has yet to publicly confirm his retirement or post-NHL plans. However, in an interview in March 2024 with Russian media, he acknowledged he was considering leaving Washington and even mentioned a possible return to Moscow's Dynamo, where his professional career began.
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