Washington Capitals respond to Alex Ovechkin retirement fears after crashing out NHL playoffs
The Washington Capitals expect living legend Alex Ovechkin to return to the team next season following their playoff exit against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Ovechkin will be 40 the next time he plays in an NHL game and is under contract with the team through 2026.
Even in his third decade in the NHL, Ovechkin remains one of the league's biggest stars, as his chase for Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record made Capitals games must-see television all year long.
Ovechkin broke the record on April 6, from his familiar power-play spot just above the left faceoff circle, on a wrist shot against the New York Islanders.
'My understanding is he's under contract, so he'll be back next year,' Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said Thursday.
Ovechkin signed his current five-year, $47.5million contract in 2021, three years after his only Stanley Cup victory.
Ovechkin has 897 career goals, three more than Gretzky. That total would likely be much higher if it was not for two lockouts and the coronavirus pandemic taking away around two seasons worth of time from his career.
Ovechkin also suffered a broken fibula last season, keeping him out of the lineup for five weeks. He still scored 44 goals in 65 appearances this season, tied for third in the entire NHL.
The Capitals made their first second-round playoff exit on Thursday since 2017, with a Stanley Cup victory, one missed postseason, and five first-round exits occurring in between.
In the 2025 playoffs, Ovechkin had five goals and one assist, scoring only once against Carolina. Yet, he was heralded for his performance by Carbery.
'I thought "O" was great in playoffs,' Carbery said. 'I know this series, the stats won't be flattering.'
'He was fantastic this year, and I thought he had a great playoffs. He did what he came back this year to prove, and he did it in the playoffs as well. I tip my cap to the season that he had and, as our captain, leading the way.'
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