The Washington Capitals saw their season come to an end without a playoff berth, and now the spotlight has shifted squarely to captain Alex Ovechkin and what comes next. With speculation about retirement growing, the franchise’s billionaire owner has publicly addressed the situation, making it clear that the decision ultimately rests with the veteran star.
Capitals Owner Lays It Out Clearly for Alex Ovechkin
At 40 years old, Ovechkin is weighing whether to return for another season or step away from the game. The uncertainty comes despite yet another remarkable chapter in a career already filled with historic achievements.
Widely regarded as the greatest goal-scorer in hockey history, Ovechkin has continued to rewrite the record books. On April 6, 2025, he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing mark of 894 regular-season goals. He now sits at 929, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach the 900-goal milestone in the regular season.
His accomplishments didn’t stop there. On March 22, 2026, Ovechkin became just the second player, again alongside Gretzky, to score 1,000 combined goals across the regular season and playoffs. With Gretzky’s combined total of 1,016 still within reach, another season could give Ovechkin the opportunity to surpass yet another iconic record.
Despite achieving nearly everything possible, the veteran winger is still undecided about his future. The question of whether he will return next season has become one of the biggest storylines heading into the offseason.
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, who has a $3.9B net worth, addressed the situation in a public message, praising the team while emphasizing support for his captain. He noted disappointment in how the season ended, but highlighted the roster’s resilience and the development of younger players who made their NHL debuts.
“We will fully support our captain, Alex Ovechkin, and give him the time he needs to determine his playing future. I want to sincerely thank the Penguins organization, as well as Sidney Crosby. Our final home game of the season – the 100th matchup between Ovi and Crosby – will forever hold a meaningful place in our organization’s history,” Leonsis wrote on X.
Even within Ovechkin’s own family, the decision remains unknown. His sons, Sergei and Ilya, have repeatedly asked about his plans, but the superstar continues to give the same two-word response he has shared publicly: “We’ll see.”
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For now, Ovechkin’s future remains uncertain, leaving fans, teammates, and the entire hockey world waiting to see whether one of the game’s greatest players will return for another run or bring an iconic career to a close.
