Alex Ovechkin’s future in the NHL and with the Washington Capitals isn’t expected to be determined before the start of free agency on July 1, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
The 40-year-old Russian superstar is set to become a free agent after finishing his five-year, $47.5 million contract at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Ovechkin indicated he plans on returning to the NHL for a 22nd season, but it’s still undetermined if it will be with the Capitals.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game. I hope it’s not my last game against Columbus. How I said, I have to make a decision to see where we’re at,” Ovechkin said at the end of the season. “Team, family. Obviously my family is going to support me. Kids have already asked me ‘Dad are you staying or no’? I told them we’ll see.
“They’re excited. They want me to come back because they love the city and the team.”
The league’s all-time leading goal scorer has played his entire career in Washington since being selected with the first-overall pick in 2004.
Ovechkin played all 82 games this past season, the fifth time in his career he’s achieved the feat, scoring 32 goals and 64 points. It was the 20th time in 21 seasons he has hit the 30-goal mark, only falling below the threshold once during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, when he scored 24 goals in 45 games.
The Capitals, who failed to make the playoffs in 2025-26, are reportedly frontrunners to acquire pending free-agent forward Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
This news comes after acquiring forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday for forwards Connor McMichael and Milton Gastrin as well as Washington’s first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft
If he were to retire, Ovechkin would finish his career with 929 goals and 1,687 points in 1,573 games, nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies, three Hart Trophies, three Lester B. Pearson/Ted Lindsay awards as well as one Calder, one Conn Smythe and one Art Ross.
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record on April 6, 2025 when he potted his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders. Gretzky has held the record for 31 years before Ovechkin took the mantle last season.
Ovechkin also captained the Capitals to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup title in 2018.
