Alex Semin is 42-years-old and has been retired from professional hockey since the 2020-21 season, when he suited up for the KHL\u2019s Vityaz Podolsk and posted 19 points (8g, 11a) in 40 games.<\/p>\n
Just a year and a half older than Alex Ovechkin<\/a>, Semin, who played six years (2006-2012) with The Great 8 during his 11 seasons in the NHL, has a valuable perspective on what it takes to be and remain a top star in the league and how his body is responding in his forties.<\/p>\n With his former linemate and good friend considering retirement, Semin spoke to TASS<\/a> about Ovechkin\u2019s upcoming decision, which the Capitals\u2019 captain said he\u2019d make this upcoming July<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a tough question; it all depends on him whether he wants to play another year,\u201d Semin said to Tass<\/a>, per a translation by Google Translate. \u201cBecause maintaining this level of fitness at 40 is quite challenging. It\u2019s getting tough, and the younger players are overtaking and catching up. I can\u2019t speak for himself; it all depends on him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ovechkin scored 32 goals and recorded 64 points in 82 games as a 40-year-old last season, notching the 20th 30-goal campaign of his career<\/a>. Heavily deployed in the offensive zone<\/a> by Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, Ovechkin led the team in both goals and points.<\/p>\n Immediately after the season ended, Ovechkin told the media that \u201cI hope it\u2019s not my last game\u201d<\/a> and that he\u2019s \u201cpretty sure\u201d he\u2019d return for another year<\/a>. Ovechkin, who is set to spend the next month in Turkey<\/a>, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has said the most important factor in his decision is team success<\/a>.<\/p>\n Semin has remained good friends with Ovechkin in retirement. The pair took the ice together at Pavel Datysuk\u2019s \u201cMagic Game\u201d last summer<\/a>, The Magic Man\u2019s on-ice goodbye to fans, and had dinner together afterwards<\/a>. Ovechkin also gave Semin an opportunity to hold up his milestone 895-goal puck<\/a> <\/p>\n The two former Capitals first-round picks played together in Washington from 2006 through 2012. Ovechkin has called Semin one of the three greatest forwards he\u2019s ever played with<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not surprised by anything when it comes to Alexander,\u201d Semin said to TASS of Ovechkin<\/a> in December 2024. \u201cHe may not have the same speed as before, but he\u2019s one of those guys who can throw with both power and accuracy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s playing incredibly well at his age. He\u2019s a unique individual, not from this planet, and everyone\u2019s known that for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n