Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has announced that the 2026-27 NHL season will be his 22nd and final year in the league, entering the campaign with 929 career regular-season goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record in April 2025.
Alex Ovechkin Announces Final NHL Season Ahead of Capitals Home Opener
The 41-year-old left wing delivered the news to his teammates Monday morning in Arlington, Virginia, exactly 21 years to the day after making his NHL debut. Selected No. 1 overall by Washington in the 2004 NHL Draft, Ovechkin spent his entire 22-year career with the franchise and serves as the longest-tenured captain in team history since January 5, 2010. He noted that it has been a pretty good career, pretty good 22 seasons
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Ovechkin wanted to make his retirement public before the Capitals’ home opener against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena so he could focus entirely on playing. He stated that he and his wife, Nastya, made the decision over the summer after evaluating his physical well-being and his desire to stay healthy for his two young sons, Sergei and Ilya. He added that he has not yet told his children, aged 8 and 6, but wants to be healthy enough to play sports with them as they grow up.
Did you know? Ovechkin needs just 10 goals combined between the regular season and playoffs to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time combined goal tally of 1,016.
Teammates and Coach React to the Retirement Announcement
Capitals forwards Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome noted that Ovechkin hinted at his impending retirement during a team dinner in Annapolis, Maryland, the previous week. Wilson told reporters that Ovechkin formally addressed the entire team, coaches, and trainers on Monday, displaying visible emotion. During the address, Ovechkin said, It’s sad, but it is what it is
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Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said he had an inkling of the decision but did not know definitively until Ovechkin called him Sunday to discuss addressing the group. Carbery described experiencing mixed emotions of sadness paired with deep gratitude for his relationship with the veteran captain. Carbery added, This is all he knows, so it’s going to be hopefully a great year
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Milestones in Sight During the Farewell Tour
Ovechkin enters his final campaign with several significant milestones within reach. Beyond chasing Gretzky’s combined goal record, the Moscow native sits 25 regular-season games shy of 1,600 and 12 points away from 1,700 career points. He currently ranks 10th in career points, trailing Steve Yzerman by 67 and Mario Lemieux by 35. If he scores at least 20 goals this season, he will tie Gordie Howe for the most 20-plus-goal seasons in league history.
Ovechkin is slated to play nine regular-season games in Canada during his farewell tour, beginning with a Nov. 10 visit to the Ottawa Senators and concluding in Ottawa on April 8. His total games played for a single franchise is more than 100 shy of Howe’s record 1,687 with the Detroit Red Wings.
Ovechkin records 30 goals every season except one
Ovechkin was the playoff MVP in 2018, leading the Capitals to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The team won the Presidents’ Trophy three times with the best regular-season record but failed in the playoffs until the 2018 run. In four postseason series between Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby from 2009 to 2018, the winner of the series won the Stanley Cup each time. Ovechkin has scored at least 30 goals in every season except 2020-21, when he scored 24 goals in 45 games. Despite the Capitals missing the playoffs in 2025-26, Ovechkin played all 82 games and recorded 32 goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Alex Ovechkin make his NHL debut?
Ovechkin made his debut with the Washington Capitals 21 years before he announced his retirement on Monday, October 5, 2026.
How many goals did Alex Ovechkin have entering his final season?
Ovechkin entered the 2026-27 season with 929 regular-season career goals, having broken Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record in April 2025.
What is the schedule for the Capitals’ remaining games in Canada?
Ovechkin has nine games left in Canada, starting with Ottawa on Nov. 10, followed by stops in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal before finishing the Canadian road schedule in Ottawa on April 8.
Where will the Washington Capitals finish their regular-season schedule?
The Capitals will wrap up the 2026-27 regular season with three straight road games, concluding on April 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers.