The Washington Capitals said Thursday that no decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future in the NHL after an email was sent to season-ticket holders calling next season his last.
“OCTOBER – the start of Capitals hockey and Alex Ovechkin’s FINAL NHL SEASON,” read the email sent on Thursday.
However, the Capitals released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying that “no decision has been made” on Ovechkin’s future beyond next season, blaming one of its employees for the misunderstanding.
“An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year,” the team posted on X.
Ovechkin, who turns 40 in September, said after the Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs earlier this month that he would be back for his 21st NHL season. The Russian has one season remaining on a five-year, $47.5m contract.
“I’m going to use those couple months [in the offseason] to rest, enjoy my life, then back to work,” Ovechkin said on 17 May.
In 65 regular-season games this past season, Ovechkin scored 44 goals, with the most significant of those coming on 6 April against the New York Islanders. The 895th goal of his career passed the great Wayne Gretzky for most in NHL history.
“I’m looking forward for next year,” Ovechkin said after the Capitals were eliminated. “I’m going to try to do my best to play, and my team is going to help me too … I just want to come back next year and see the team who’s capable of winning the Stanley Cup.”
A 13-time All-Star and three-time Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin enters the 2025-26 season ranked 11th all-time in points (1,623). He needs 19 points to pass Joe Sakic, who is 10th on the points list.
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