Alex Ovechkin's farewell tour begins
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Alex Ovechkin announced this is his final NHL season. Photo: Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Alexander Ovechkin is calling it a career when this — his 22nd NHL season — is done.
Why it matters: The NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer has been the face of the Washington Capitals for more than two decades, transforming them from an afterthought into one of D.C.'s most consistently relevant teams.
- He delivered the franchise its first Stanley Cup in 2018, rewrote the NHL record book and became one of the most recognizable athletes in Washington sports history.
Driving the news: On Monday morning, coach Spencer Carbery called up Ovechkin to address the team in the locker room.
- Ovechkin gave Carbery a hug and got right to the point.
What he's saying: "This is going to be my last year," Ovechkin said, keeping his comments to just a minute or so. "It's hard, but let's enjoy it and let's do some special things this year."
Catch up quick: After Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's goals record in April 2025, many assumed the 2025-26 season would be his last.
- He had accomplished the statistical feat he'd spent years chasing.
- His contract was about to be up.
- And, oh yeah, the Caps had mistakenly sent an email to season-ticket holders indicating it would be his last hurrah.
- The Caps missed the playoffs, and in the offseason Ovechkin decided to come back on a $4.25 million deal.
By the numbers: He's sitting on 929 goals — 37 more than Gretzky and 274 ahead of the next-highest active player, Sidney Crosby.
State of play: The Capitals came into this season with big expectations and impressed in their opener Friday, a 5-2 win at the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes.
- On Saturday, the Caps lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-1.
Yes, but: Ovechkin's role already looks different.
- Throughout his career, he has averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time per game. Through the first two games this season, he's been at about 13 minutes a night.
- His 12:46 in the opener was the lowest of his career aside from games in which he was ejected or injured, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Thanks for the memories: Last month, I asked Caps winger Ryan Leonard for his earliest memory of Ovi.
- "Probably his first goal," the 21-year-old said.
- Wait, were you even alive for that? (Yes, but Leonard was just 8 months old.)
- "Just like seeing the video — seeing how cool it was," he responded. "Watching his highlights on YouTube."
Flashback: Alright, let's cue up the highlights.
- Ovi not only scored twice in his debut at what was then called the MCI Center — he also body-checked an opponent into oblivion 37 seconds into the game.
After hockey: Ovechkin, who courted controversy in D.C. by appearing in a pro-Putin video last month, plans to move back to Russia with his wife and two sons.
What's next: Ovechkin and the Caps play their home opener Wednesday against Crosby and the Penguins.
- That's fitting since Ovechkin and Crosby were No. 1 picks in back-to-back drafts but entered the NHL together in 2005 after a season-long lockout.
- They became the defining rivalry of a generation. And while the NHL has moved on to younger stars, Ovi-Crosby battles remain big events.
- This one just got even bigger.