Ovechkin returning for 22nd season with Capitals

ESPN News Services

Jul 2, 2026, 12:50 PM ET

Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's career leader in goals, has decided to return for the 2026-27 season, his 22nd with the Washington Capitals.

The Capitals announced Thursday that Ovechkin has signed a one-year contract with an average annual value of $4.25 million.

Ovechkin's new deal carries a $1 million base salary and a $3.25 million signing bonus. However, he will earn a $4.75 million bonus if he plays at least 10 games, which would increase his total salary to $9 million.

Ovechkin, who led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018, had said he would decide on his future this offseason after consulting with his family and the Capitals. He was in the final season of his contract, which carried a $9.5 million cap hit.

Ovechkin, 40, had indicated he was hoping to keep playing, but he also said Washington's outlook next season could factor into his decision.

"Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision," Ovechkin said in a statement. "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."

Last season, Ovechkin had 32 goals and 32 assists while playing in all 82 games. He finished the season with 929 career goals in 1,573 games, having passed Wayne Gretzky last year for the most regular-season goals in NHL history.

Ovechkin's NHL debut came on Oct. 5, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.

Ovechkin had previously left open the possibility he could play in the Russian KHL. He spent parts of five seasons with Moscow Dynamo, four before he arrived in the NHL and one during a 2012 work stoppage.

Washington finished two points shy of a playoff spot this season, the fifth time it has failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs since Ovechkin was the top pick in 2004.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.