Alex Ovechkin signs 1-year deal to return to Capitals for 22nd NHL season
· Yahoo Sports
Alex Ovechkin is returning to Washington Capitals for another season, the team announced on Thursday.
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Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, has signed a one-year deal that will see him earn a $1 million salary with a $3.25 million signing bonus. He will also earn an additional $4.75 million for playing at least 10 games.
“I’m back!” said Ovechkin in a statement. “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. 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!”
Following the 2025-26 season, there was a question as to whether the nine-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner would retire. In April, Ovechkin said he was “pretty sure” he hadn’t played his final game, but would use the time off to discuss his options with his family and also see how his body felt. He also added he wouldn’t return unless it was with the Capitals, the only NHL franchise he has known.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft has also won three Hart Trophies as NHL MVP, the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, a scoring title, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2018, among his 19 individual awards.
Ovechkin led the Capitals with 32 goals this season and played all 82 games for the first time since the 2017-18 season. He will enter next season with an NHL-best 929 career goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record of 894 in 2025.
When Ovechkin hits the ice in October, he will join Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita, Steve Yzerman, and Sidney Crosby as the only NHL players to play 22 seasons with a single franchise. He will also pass Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson as the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C. sports history.