Ovechkin Says 2026-27 Will Be His Final NHL Season

Alex Ovechkin has announced that the 2026-27 season will be his final one in the NHL, setting an endpoint for his career in the league while leaving open whether he will continue playing elsewhere. The Washington Capitals forward said he and his family made the decision over the summer and that he wanted to share it before the team’s first home game. Ovechkin made the announcement publicly and told Capitals teammates in a locker-room address that his family wanted them to hear it first. He urged the players to enjoy the season and try to accomplish something special together. He also said he was looking forward to the year with his teammates and wanted to appreciate time with his family, fans and others who had supported him. The announcement identifies the 2026-27 campaign as Ovechkin’s last in the NHL, but does not establish whether he will retire from hockey altogether. A possible continuation in another league has been raised, but Ovechkin has not announced such a plan. His final NHL game date is also not specified. Ovechkin entered his 22nd NHL season with 929 career goals.