Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin ‘pretty sure’ he’ll extend 21-year NHL career

April 16 (UPI) — Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is “pretty sure” the 2025-26 NHL campaign was not his last season, he told reporters Thursday.

Uncertainty about Ovechkin’s future built up throughout his 21st season, which ended with a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio.

“To be honest with you, I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game,” Ovechkin said at a news conference Thursday in Arlington, Va. “I hope it’s not my last game, against Columbus.

“I have to make a decision to see where we’re at. The team, family. Obviously, the family is going to support me, my wife and kids. The kids are already asking me, ‘Dad, are you staying or no?’ And I tell them, ‘We’ll see.’ They’re excited. They want me to come back. They love the city. They love the team. They love the boys.”

Ovechkin, who joined the Capitals as the top pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, is to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Capitals were 43-30-9 in 2025-26 and missed the playoffs for just the fifth time since Ovechkin joined the franchise.

The 40-year-old captain said he would “probably not” play for another NHL franchise, but is open to playing in Russia after his United States tenure. He also said he wants the Capitals to be capable of making the playoffs and fighting for a Stanley Cup.

He did not provide a timeline for a potential decision.

Ovechkin totaled 32 goals and 32 assists over 82 appearances this season. The Russian, who broke Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals in NHL history last season, pushed his career total to 929.

His 7,108 shorts on goal, 331 power play goals and 141 game-winning goals also are the most in league history.

The 2017-18 Stanley Cup winner and three-time Hart Trophy winner ranks 10th in NHL history with 1,687 points. His 758 assists are 49th in league history. Ovechkin’s 34 hat tricks are the fourth-most all-time.

He said he hasnt spoken with Chris Patrick about his status next season, but joked that he wished the Capitals general manager offered him a two-year contract.