Ovechkin retirement decision won’t arrive until summer, Capitals star says

People hoping for an Alex Ovechkin retirement announcement shouldn’t hold their breath. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer said in an interview posted to the Washington Capitals’ X account Wednesday that he won’t decide until the summer.

Ovechkin, 40, is running out of accolades to chase. He passed Wayne Gretzky for the league’s regular-season goals record more than a year ago. The Russian already holds most of the Capitals’ franchise records, including games played.

“When you love something, you do it hard,” said Ovechkin, who leads the Capitals with 31 goals this season. “I love playing hockey. I love to score goals.”

The three-time MVP is in the final year of a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension he signed in 2021. He will technically become a free agent in the offseason, though analysts widely expect him to retire or re-sign with the Capitals.

“We’re going to make a decision in the summer. I have to talk to my family, with [Capitals owner Ted Leonsis]. … We have to make a decision in the summer,” Ovechkin said before detailing the top factors in his thought process. “Healthwise, I’m going to be 41 years old in September, so you just have to be smart about it.”

Washington trails the Ottawa Senators by five points for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot with four games remaining. The Capitals visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night before a weekend home-and-home set against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.