NHL Legend Ovechkin Hints at Potential Retirement After This Season

Veteran Capitals star may be playing his final games in the next week, according to NHL.com reporter.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:55am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors that captures the raw athleticism and competitive spirit of a hockey player in motion, conceptually representing the legendary career of Alex Ovechkin as he potentially nears retirement from the NHL.A cubist interpretation captures the dynamic energy and passion that have defined Alex Ovechkin's iconic tenure with the Washington Capitals as his NHL career potentially nears its end.Today in Pittsburgh

NHL.com senior writer Tom Gulitti believes that Alex Ovechkin, the legendary 40-year-old Washington Capitals forward, is likely playing his final four NHL games in the next week. Ovechkin said in a recent interview that he will wait until the offseason to decide if this will be his last season in the league, but Gulitti expressed on the latest edition of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast that he has felt all season this would be Ovechkin's last in the NHL.

Why it matters

Ovechkin is the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer and has been the face of the Capitals franchise for nearly two decades. His potential retirement would mark the end of an era and would have major implications for the Capitals organization and the league as a whole.

The details

Ovechkin is in the final season of a five-year, $47.5 million contract he signed with the Capitals in 2021. The Capitals are currently five points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division and the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with four games to play.

  • Ovechkin said in an interview posted by the team on social media Wednesday that he will wait until the offseason to decide if this is going to be his last season in the NHL.
  • The Capitals play a home-and-home with the Pittsburgh Penguins this coming weekend, with Gulitti covering both games.

The players

Alex Ovechkin

A 40-year-old forward who has been the face of the Washington Capitals franchise for nearly two decades and is the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer.

Tom Gulitti

An NHL.com senior writer who covers the Washington Capitals and joined the "NHL @TheRink" podcast to discuss Ovechkin's future.

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What they’re saying

“Ovechkin most likely will be playing his final four NHL games in the next week. At least that's the gut feeling NHL.com senior writer Tom Gulitti expressed on the latest edition of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast.”

— Tom Gulitti, NHL.com Senior Writer

What’s next

The Capitals play their final four games of the regular season, including a home-and-home series against the Pittsburgh Penguins this weekend. Ovechkin's future with the team and in the NHL will be a major storyline to follow in the offseason.

The takeaway

Ovechkin's potential retirement would mark the end of an era for the NHL, as he has been one of the league's most iconic and dominant players for nearly two decades. His departure would have significant implications for the Capitals organization and the league as a whole, as they would need to navigate the post-Ovechkin era.