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Report suggests Alex Ovechkin may still be a Capital in 2026-27
Photo credit: NHL
There isn't much that can be written about Alex Ovechkin's future with the Washington Capitals that hasn't already been said. Yet, given that Ovechkin himself has not confirmed whether or not he will be back with the Caps following the 2025-26 season, it bares revisiting.
If not the greatest NHLer to ever play - and many would agree that he is - Ovi is certainly the greatest scorer in its history. Even at the age of 39, he was able to do what only less than a handful of NHL stars could, and that is score 44 goals in 65 games in the regular season.
The 44 goals, by the way, were good for 3rd overall in 2024-25. Ahead of him were only Draisaitl with 52 goals and William Nylander with 45. I can say confidently that if Ovi had not missed 17 games with a serious leg injury, he would have finished the season 1st overall.
And, Ovi would have likely scored 50 goals, setting the NHL record for most (10) Maurice 'Rocket' Richard trophies for most goals in a season.
With that in mind, how aggressive should Caps GM Chris Patrick be resigning the GR8 when his contract expires at the end of 2025-26?
Or should the Capitals GM let the superstar slip away to join the KHL's Dyamo Moscow, where Ovechkin has repeatedly said he'd like to play when he retires from the NHL?
"I haven't thought about it yet, but we'll see what's going to happen," Ovi said last month at Breakdown Day. "I'm going to try to do my best to be able to do well next year."
What about after next year? A source close to Ovechkin shared his comments with RG Media.
"Alex has always been honest with himself and the hockey community. If he feels he can no longer play at the highest level he won't continue playing just for the sake of staying."
And therein is the dilemma. Ovechkin is still playing at the highest level, and then some. His stats show it, and his passion and commitment to game he loves show it .
It may very well just come down to how much more Ovi wishes to cement his legend in NHL lore and record books. It may very well still be several years yet before his NHL days are over.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 4 | 34 ANSWERS Report suggests Alex Ovechkin may still be a Capital in 2026-27 Should Alex Ovechkin return to Russia to play with Dynamo Moscow after the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 67.6 % |
| No | 11 | 32.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
