Washington Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin and his family have returned to Russia for a well-deserved break during the NHL offseason. However, with rumors erupting about the 39-year-old Russian star’s future in the league, Ovechkin’s wife, Anastasia Shubskaya opened up about the issue in an exclusive interview with the Russian portal aif.ru.
Alex Ovechkin’s Wife Anastasia Seems to Confirm Rumor
Shubskaya told the interviewer that their family has settled in Moscow after nearly nine months away. She also reportedly stated that the veteran hockey player’s next NHL season would be his last.
“Alexander still has a contract for a year. So we will play the next season, and then fly back to live in Moscow, to our homeland. We will stay in Russia, yes,” Shubskaya said via aif.ru on Friday, May 30.
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Veteran NHL writer Tony Wallach claimed on Thursday, May 29, that Ovechkin would not be signing a new contract with the Capitals. A widely circulated email from the Washington Capitals’ corporate sales department on the same day allegedly stated the 2025-26 season would be the Russian superstar’s last in the NHL.
The email sent to season-ticket holders set off a frenzy among fans before the Capitals’ public relations team clarified that the message’s assertion was erroneous.
Anastasia Shubskaya Gets Candid About Ovi’s Emotional State
Anastasia also spoke candidly about the emotional and physical toll Ovechkin had been under during this historic season, in which he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goals record.
“To be honest, I wanted him to score that goal sooner. Because I understood the pressure that was on Sasha. I wanted this weight to be lifted from his soul,” Anastasia said. “Because it was difficult. The pressure was very serious, and from everywhere. And every day these questions: “When, when, when will you break the record?””
She also implied yet again that “The Great 8” would not extend his time in the NHL.
“Of course, he didn’t show it, but I understood how hard it was for him. So, I repeat, I waited for Sasha to score faster. And relax. He has his last season next year. And I want him to simply enjoy what he loves, to simply enjoy this last season,” Anastasia said.
The Capitals enjoyed one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory, finishing first in the Eastern Conference with 111 points (51-22-9) and clinching the Metropolitan Division title. Ovechkin, despite missing 16 games because of a broken fibula, scored 44 goals in the regular season and finished with 897 career NHL goals. In the playoffs, Washington defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the first round to win their first postseason series since they won the Stanley Cup in 2018. They were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round in five games.
