Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, will be able to add to his tally as he returns for a 22nd season with the Washington Capitals. The team announced the news on Thursday, ending speculation that the 40-year-old could retire or find a new team to suit up for.
He signed a one-year contract worth $1 million in base salary but has substantial bonuses. He also gets a $3.25 million signing bonus and has a likely-to-earn incentive of $4.75 million once he reaches 10 games played in the 2026-2027 NHL season.
“I’m back, babes,” Ovechkin said in an Instagram video that showed him putting pen to paper.
“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!”
In the 2024–2025 season, Ovechkin broke the hallowed goal-scoring record of Wayne Gretzky, and continued adding to his count last season. Ovechkin played in all 82 games and contributed 32 goals, plus 32 assists, as he finished with 64 points. He also had a pair of hat tricks, which tied him for second most in the league as only Connor McDavid (three) had more.
While his 32 goals were tied for the third fewest of his career, that number still topped the Caps as Tom Wilson was second with 30 goals. Ovechkin’s points total also led Washington, while he was second in game-winning goals and in power play assists.
Ted Leonsis, who is the CEO and founder of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, expressed his delight in Ovechkin returning to the only franchise he’s ever known.
“We are excited to have Alex return and continue his illustrious career,” Leonsis said. “Ever since we drafted him, there have been two constants: his love for the game and his relentless drive to win. Alex has always shown a deep commitment to his teammates, this organization, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
“I am incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished in a Capitals sweater, and I have no doubt he will continue to add to that legacy next season. He has defined excellence for this franchise and set a standard, and we are thrilled to have him continue writing this next chapter of his remarkable career.”
While the Caps missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season with a 43–30–9 record, they were division winners the prior year and won a postseason series. Part of Ovechkin’s desire to return came from the offseason moves that Washington took to make another run at the Stanley Cup. The team added Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner to ease some of the burden on Ovechkin’s shoulders as he will turn 41 years old in September.
With his 22nd season on the horizon, Ovechkin will join Hall of Famers Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita, and Steve Yzerman as the only players to suit up for 22 seasons with one franchise. Sidney Crosby will also join this club as he enters his 22nd season as well in 2026–2027.
Ovechkin is the only player in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup championship, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, an Art Ross, a Hart, a Ted Lindsay, and a Maurice Richard Trophy. In addition to being the game’s all-time leading scorer, Ovechkin also tops all in power play goals, game-winning goals, and shots on goal.
Additionally, he holds marks for the most career points by a left winger, most overtime goals, most goaltenders scored on, and with last season’s 32-goal campaign, Ovechkin has a record of 20 seasons with 30-plus goals.
More records could be on the horizon this upcoming year. Ovechkin, who had 27 even-strength goals last season, is just 25 of those from surpassing Gretzky, again, for the most in NHL history. Also, if Ovechkin can suit up for all 82 games again in 2026–2027, then he will move from 15th into the top 10 in all-time games played.
For his career, Ovechkin has 929 goals, 758 assists, and 1,687 points across 1,573 games played. He’s been selected to the NHL All-Star Game 13 times and has been the league’s leading goal scorer nine times. A three-time MVP winner, Ovechkin’s crowning achievement was leading the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2018, in which Ovechkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
