With his hands on his hips, Alex Ovechkin stood in the front of the Capitals locker room with silent teammates fanned out to his left and right. Ovechkin announced this would be his last season skating by their sides.

Ovechkin has smashed through records, becoming the NHL’s all-time goal scorer after surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s record in the 2024-2025 season.

He and rival Pittsburgh Penguin Sidney Crosby are credited with reviving the NHL. He’s also helped grow the game through the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area and has served as the Capitals’ captain for 18 years.

Last season, he was approaching the end of his contract but said he wouldn’t decide about retirement until the summer. He ultimately chose to play another year, but it wasn’t until Monday morning that he announced this season would be his last.

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“For me, for my family, it’s very important to you guys for you to know first,” he said to his teammates, some new, some old, but all in the only jersey Ovechkin has ever worn.

“Yeah. It’s sad,” Ovechkin said with a sniff. “But it is what it is.”

Ovechkin is 41 years old. Only one active player, Brent Burns, is older.

He has slowed down in recent years but his scoring hasn’t. Outside of the COVID-shortened 2020–21 season, he has never dipped below 30 goals. His 32 goals last season led the team.

The Capitals tried to be competitive last season knowing the end might be approaching for Ovechkin, but they suffered significant injuries. They ended up trading away several players, including long-time Capital John Carlson in what Ovechkin called one of the saddest days of his career.

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This season, they strengthened their roster with veteran free agent additions such as forward Boone Jenner and trade acquisitions such as forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou. They also have young stars such as forwards Ryan Leonard and Ilya Protas and defenseman Cole Hutson.

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“We have an unbelievable team this year,” Ovechkin said. “Eighty-two games left. Let’s make the playoffs. Let’s have fun and enjoy the moment because times fly.”

He walked off to applause before veteran Tom Wilson, who has played 14 of Ovechkin’s 22 seasons with him, got up to give him a firm hug.

And then it was on to a workout, preparing to try to give Ovechkin a final magical season.