Ovechkin announces this will be his last NHL season: ‘I know in my heart it’s the right decision’

This season will be Alex Ovechkin’s last in the NHL.

The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer first made the announcement to his Washington Capitals teammates on Monday.

“It’s sad, but it is what it is,” Ovechkin said in his locker room address. “It’s hard, but let’s enjoy it and let’s do some special things this year.”

“We have an unbelievable team this year,” he added. “Let’s make the playoffs, let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly.”

Ovechkin signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million in July to return for a 22nd NHL season. His contract carries a cap hit of $4.25 million, but he will earn additional $4.75 million bonus if he appears in 10 games. He has one assist through two games so far.

“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL. I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said later in a statement.

“It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them.

“I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career.

“See you Wednesday, babes!”

Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record in 2024-25 and has 929 goals and 1,688 points in 1,575 games in his illustrious career.

He recorded 32 goals and 64 points in 82 games with the Capitals last season.

Ovechkin was drafted first overall by the Capitals in 2004 and helped lead the team to 10 division titles, three Presidents’ Trophies, and a Stanley Cup championship in 2018.

The eight-time, first-team all-star won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2018 after recording 15 goals and 27 points in 24 games.

Ovechkin is a three-time Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner (2008, 2009, 2013) and has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy nine times as the league’s leading goal scorer.

He also won the Art Ross Trophy by leading the league in scoring in 2008, the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2006 and recognized as the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner in 2025.

Ovechkin was also named as one of the NHL’s all-time top 100 players as part of the league’s centennial anniversary in 2017.

The Moscow, Russia native represented his country three times at the Winter Olympics, finishing fourth in 2006, sixth in 2010, and fifth in 2014. He also represented Russia 13 times at the World Championship, winning gold in 2008, 2012, and 2014, silver in 2010 and 2015, and bronze in 2005, 2007, 2015, and 2019.