Alex Ovechkin makes his retirement decision with Capitals announcement
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Alex Ovechkin makes his retirement decision with Capitals announcement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Alex Ovechkin took his time.
Visit esporist.org for more information.
But after speculation about whether he was retiring, the Washington Capitals made an announcement on Thursday. And there isn't going to be any retirement right now.
Ovi is coming back for the 2026-27 season.
He'll be on a one-year contract worth $4.25 million:
IT'S SO NOT O-VER, BABES‼️
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 2, 2026
The Washington Capitals have re-signed captain Alex Ovechkin to a one-year contract extension. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million.#ALLCAPS | #Gr8nesspic.twitter.com/MFudDudbiu
The actual deal has plenty of bonuses attached, too:
Alex Ovechkin will earn $9M next season as long as he plays 10 games.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 2, 2026
His contract includes a $3.25M signing bonus, $1M salary and $4.75M bonus when he reaches 10 games played.
MORE: The Maple Leafs have pulled off the Sergei Bobrovsky signing
Ovechkin will turn 41 before the season starts, and he'll continue to add to his legendary status in the NHL with the Capitals.
He was the No. 1 overall pick in 2004 by the Caps, and this will mark his 22nd season in Washington.
Even at age 40, he played all 82 games in 2025-26 and had 32 goals with 32 assists.
For his career, he's up to an NHL-record 929 goals. He also holds records for power play goals, game-winning goals and shots on goal.
Ovechkin certainly isn't the player he was at his peak, but he's still a brilliantly intelligent offensive mind with a devastating slapshot.
The Capitals certainly didn't want to see him go yet, and now they won't have to.
The Great 8 is back for one more.