Alex Ovechkin staved off Father Time’s wretched grasp in his 20th season. The Capitals supernova entered the season with dreams of shattering Wayne Gretzky’s record for goals scored across a career, needing 42 markers to capture NHL immortality. He accomplished that feat in just 61 games, ending the campaign with 44 scores, the joint-third-best mark in the sport.
Ovechkin’s age-39 season was defined largely by goal horns and red lights. He remains a popular figure inside and outside of Washington’s locker room. A premature postseason departure might’ve taken a bit of the shimmer off of his standout campaign. But Ovechkin’s goal chase made the season an especially memorable one — an impressive feat given his advanced age.
Still, the question remains: just when will the Great 8 hang up his skates? It’s a difficult thing to project, admittedly. If the 2024-25 season taught us anything, Ovechkin remains a force on the ice. His team took on a similar disposition during the regular season, climbing up NHL standings fueled by a well-balanced attack.
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Time waits for no man, though — not even a scoring machine like Ovechkin. As the scoring record comes into focus, so too does his future.
With that, here’s what you need to know about Ovechkin’s thoughts on retirement.
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Will Alex Ovechkin retire?
At 39, Ovechkin is the fourth-oldest active player in the NHL. He doesn’t figure to have much time left to produce at a top level. But as long as he is, it seems fair to assume he’ll keep going.
He said as much after the Capitals’ season came to a close at the hands of the Hurricanes.
“First of all, [I have] to make a roster at 40 years old,” Ovechkin joked on May 17, two days after Carolina eliminated Washington in the second round.
With just one year left on his contract, Ovechkin could ride off into the sunset in 2026, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. The Capitals reportedly sent an email to season ticket holders on Thursday saying next season will be his last. However, it turned out to be a false alarm.
No decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future following the 2025-26 NHL season.
An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year.
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) May 29, 2025
Given the contour of his playing career thus far, Ovechkin’s eventual swan song should bring about another phenomenon in the District: goals — and lots of them. The Great 8 is as motivated as ever as his career winds down.
“I’m going to use those couple months [in the offseason] to rest, enjoy my life, then back to work,” Ovechkin said. “Me and [trainer Pavel Burlachenko are] going do our job to get ready for the season and just do my best.”
Alex Ovechkin contract details
Ovechkin inked a five-year, $47,5 million contract with the Capitals ahead of the 2021-22 season. Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, he’ll have one year remaining on the deal.
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Alex Ovechkin career stats
| Stat | Total | All-time rank |
| Goals | 897 | 1st |
| Assists | 726 | 55th |
| Points | 1,623 | 11th |
| Rocket Richard Trophies | 9 | 1st |
Ovechkin is the greatest pure goal-scorer in NHL history. When his career reaches its close, expect him to gain entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
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