Alex Ovechkin will return to the Washington Capitals for his 22nd NHL season, the team announced Thursday. The 40-year-old forward signed a one-year contract worth $4.25 million.
Ovechkin, who had been weighing retirement earlier this year, expressed his commitment to playing. "I'm back!" Ovechkin said in a release. "Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I'm healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win."
He added, "I'm excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!"
Last season, Ovechkin played all 82 games, scoring 32 goals and accumulating 64 points. Despite his performance, the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time in three years. He is currently sidelined by a suspension and is expected to be out for the first 20 games of the 2024-2025 season.
In April 2025, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record, scoring his 895th goal. Throughout his career, he has helped the Capitals win three Presidents' Trophies and their first Stanley Cup in 2018. In that championship run, he scored 15 goals and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Ovechkin's career regular-season totals stand at 929 goals and 1,687 points in 1,573 games. In the postseason, he has recorded 77 goals and 147 points in 161 games.
The Capitals will aim to build on last year's 43-30-9 record and return to the postseason with Ovechkin leading the team into what may be his final season.