Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin plans to postpone any decision about retirement until his team’s current season concludes, the hockey legend revealed in a recent interview.
The NHL’s all-time goal-scoring champion shared his timeline during a pre-recorded conversation with Capitals radio host John Walton that was broadcast Wednesday.
“We’re going to make a decision in the summer,” Ovechkin stated, explaining he must first consult with his family, team owner Ted Leonsis, hockey operations president Brian MacLellan and general manager Chris Patrick.
Physical condition will play the primary role in his choice, according to Ovechkin: “I’m going to be 41 years old in September, so you just have to be smart about it.”
For months, reporters have continuously questioned whether the veteran will hang up his skates or continue for a 22nd NHL campaign. His current deal with Washington ends on June 30.
The Capitals have only three contests remaining after Wednesday’s matchup in Toronto and face challenging odds to secure a playoff berth.
Exactly one year ago Monday, the Moscow native netted his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable milestone.
Since that historic moment, Ovechkin has added 33 additional goals, including 31 during the current campaign, bringing his regular season total to 928. On March 22, he reached 1,000 career NHL goals when including playoff tallies.
His record collection also includes most power play goals at 331, most game-winners with 141, and most shots at 7,091. The 6-foot-3 forward has proven equally dominant physically, ranking third all-time in hits with 3,871.
Washington travels to face longtime rival Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday before hosting them Sunday. The home finale has sold out completely, with ticket prices soaring well beyond normal rates as fans anticipate potentially witnessing their captain’s final appearance at home.
The team concludes the regular season Tuesday in Columbus, possibly marking Ovechkin’s last North American game. Coincidentally, he made his NHL debut against the Blue Jackets in Washington on October 5, 2005.
The Russian superstar could choose to extend his career by one season in the KHL, where he began professionally in what was then the Russian Superleague. He competed there from 2001-2005 and returned to Dynamo Moscow during the 2012-13 NHL work stoppage.
