Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin announced the 2026-27 season will be his last in the NHL.
The three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner informed his teammates in the locker room:
In a statement released by the Caps, he said that “I know in my heart it’s the right decision.”
“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 be through good times and tough losses,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them.”
Ovechkin is embarking on his 22nd season, and he turned 41 in September. Anyone who follows the NHL knew his exit was coming sooner rather than later.
Still, there’s always an initial shock when the uncertain becomes certain.
A 12-time All-Star, Ovechkin is a defining star of his era alongside the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby. His 929 goals are the most in NHL history, and his 759 assists are only three behind Nicklas Bäckström for Washington’s all-time mark.
Giving himself a farewell tour will allow Ovechkin’s fans and peers to properly celebrate everything he achieved on the ice. It’s bound to serve as a source of motivation for the Capitals as well.
The Caps won their opener 5-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes before losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. In general, they should be in the thick of the Stanley Cup Playoff hunt.
Coincidentally, Crosby and the Penguins are next up for Washington. The two teams face off Wednesday at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin and Crosby will cross paths three more times after that: Jan. 18, March 13 and April 4.
The last of those encounters is the Capitals’ final home game. They close with three straight on the road, wrapping up the year on April 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ovechkin’s swan song could extend beyond that if Washington punches its ticket to the postseason. Regardless, the games he does have left just took on an added significance.