NHL Goals King Ovechkin Undecided on Future as Capitals Season Ends

Ovechkin leaves door open on retirement after Capitals season finale

Alex Ovechkin says he’s unsure about returning next season after Capitals miss playoffs. NHL’s all-time goals leader: “I hope it's not my last game.”

‘We'll see,'Ovechkin noncommittal on NHL future after Capitals season finale...

Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, kept his options open on playing another season, saying he won’t decide his future until the season is over.

The Washington Capitals captain had an assist in Tuesday’s 2-1 regular-season finale win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the victory didn’t do much to ease a frustrating end to the year.

Washington had already been knocked out of Stanley Cup Playoff contention the day before, only the fifth time since Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004 that the Capitals have missed the postseason.

“I hope it's not my last game,” Ovechkin said in a report on the NHL's website. “So, we'll see.”

The 40-year-old Russian is in the final year of his contract and broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record in April 2025. He currently leads the list with 929 career goals.

Goodnight, hockey fans! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/HCd9OEGVCW

— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2026

With doubts over whether he will play again, a big group of Capitals fans traveled to Columbus for the finale to support their captain in what might be his last NHL game, and Ovechkin noticed.

“I don't know what's going to happen,” he said. “The fans that came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, ‌it was very nice. I can hear their cheering for me and scream, 'One more year!' So, ‌that's important, too. It shows lots of respect. So, thanks for the support.”

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said Ovechkin’s uncertain future was discussed in the team’s postgame meeting but wouldn’t share details. “I'll just keep that between us,” Carbery said.

Alex Ovechkin left his NHL future undecided after the Capitals’ season finale, saying “we'll see” about returning. The 40-year-old, who broke Gretzky’s goals record with 929 career goals, is in the final year of his contract as Washington missed the playoffs for only the fifth time since 2004...