Alex Ovechkin is in the final year of his contract with the Washington Capitals. There has been widespread speculation that the Capitals captain could hang up his skates once the 2025-26 season comes to an end.
NHL insider, Nick Kypreos, recently shed some light on rumor, stating that Alex Ovechkin could be following the footsteps of Wayne Gretzky. At the age of 38, Gretzky opted to step away from the ice, but he made the announcement only three days before his team’s final regular-season game.
According to the insider, Ovechkin could do the same, as the Washington Capitals have only three games left in the regular season and only an outside shot at making the playoffs. According to report, Kypreos said,
“Washington has eight games left in its season, and it’s all quiet around Alex Ovechkin, who is in the final season of his contract at 40 years old. Ovechkin has kept his cards very close to the vest, and not many know his intentions right now. What I’ve heard is that he’s never been interested in a farewell tour like Anze Kopitar has been having with Los Angeles this season.”
The insider went on to add,
“Ovechkin liked the way Wayne Gretzky did it at the end of his career, announcing two days before his last regular-season game that he was retiring at the end of the season. Ovechkin could follow a similar blueprint if he decides this is it.”
Ovechkin was picked by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Draft, and made his debut in the 2005-06 season. He has been a prominent and regular face for the team throughout his 20+ year career, and racked up multiple Hart Trophy (MVP) awards alongside a Stanley Cup.
Alex Ovechkin discusses the progress on his personal hockey museum project
Alex Ovechkin has spent the last few years building a personal hockey museum in Moscow, Russia. He’s talked a lot about the project and how he hopes to accomplish it before he steps away from the rink.
In a recent interview with NHL.com, the forward updated on its progress and indicated that the museum’s construction is nearly complete and that his hockey equipment, jerseys, sticks, and so on will be available from the 2025-26 season.
Ovechkin went on to say that he has been collecting jerseys from other players as well which will be a significant attraction in his museum. According to NHL.com, he stated,
“For my kids, for myself, just for the memories. I wanted to just do it with the captains. Soccer players do it, and I think it’s a good thing. Some of them are not (game-worn) because I think some players have a deal with the team and they have to give it away to the fans; most of them are game-worn.”
Despite these developments, he clarified in the interview that it had nothing to do with his retirement as it largely remains a topic of debate.
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