Alex Ovechkin has announced that this upcoming NHL season will be his final one. The Washington Capitals star shared with his teammates via a social media video, “This is gonna be my last year. It’s bittersweet, but it is what it is. We have a fantastic team this year. There are 82 games remaining, so let’s aim for the playoffs and enjoy every moment.”
Ovechkin, already the all-time leading goal-scorer in hockey history with 929 goals, still has the chance to add to that tally over his last 82 games. Drafted first overall in 2004, he quickly made a name for himself by scoring 52 goals as a rookie and winning the Calder Trophy. Throughout his career, Ovechkin has secured nine Rocket Richard Trophies as the league’s top goal-scorer—a record—and has also claimed an Art Ross Trophy and three Hart Trophies.
One of the highlights of his career was driving Washington to its first Stanley Cup victory in 2017-18. Despite narrowly missing out on several postseason runs before, Ovechkin led all players with 15 goals during that playoff run and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP.
After the 2025-26 season, there was speculation that Ovechkin might retire, but he instead signed a one-year contract with incentives. Recognizing this could be his last hurrah, the Capitals made strategic moves by signing forward Alex Tuch and trading for Jordan Kyrou, aiming to bolster their roster and give Ovechkin a final shot at capturing another Stanley Cup. Their impressive lineup, especially potent on the wings, positions Washington as a strong contender within the Metro Division, potentially challenging reigning champions like the Carolina Hurricanes—possibly securing Ovechkin one more championship before his career concludes.
Fan Take: Ovechkin’s farewell tour adds a layer of excitement and nostalgia that hockey fans cherish, as they get to witness the closing chapter of one of the league’s greatest goal-scorers. His impact on the sport transcends stats—this final season could inspire a new wave of enthusiasm, reminding everyone of what makes hockey special.
Source: www.cbssports.com
