Alex Ovechkin can’t dodge the questions about his retirement.
Fans ask him. Reporters ask him. Even his two sons have joined the chorus, desperate to know whether the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will return for one more run with the Washington Capitals.
On Thursday, Ovechkin finally provided a hint about his future, noting that he’s “pretty sure” Tuesday’s season-ending win over the Columbus Blue Jackets was not his final NHL game in a season that saw the Capitals miss the playoffs.
“I hope it’s not,” he said during Washington’s final media availability of the season.
Ovechkin will be 41 years old next season. But the left winger led the Capitals with 32 goals and played in all 82 games while pushing his retirement decision toward the summer.
The Moscow native has repeatedly said he would base his final decision on his health. But his family members are putting their fingers on the scale.
“My kids have already asked me, ’Dad, are you staying?’” Ovechkin said. “They’re excited because they love the city and they love the team.”
The players in Washington’s locker room share that sentiment.
“Everyone’s respectful of his decision. Obviously, we all want him back,” Capitals center Dylan Strome said. “You wouldn’t find a person in this organization that doesn’t want him back.”
If Ovechkin opts against retirement, the decision to re-sign him falls on general manager Chris Patrick and Brian MacLellan, the Capitals’ president of hockey operations. Ovechkin is technically a free agent, though he said Thursday he couldn’t see himself joining another NHL franchise.
The Kontinental Hockey League, the top professional ice hockey league in Russia, where he started the league with Dynamo Moscow, is still an option. Ovechkin said Thursday he would consider rejoining his hometown team when his NHL career ends.
The 12-time All-Star has heard fans chant for “one more year” during the Capitals’ final games. Ovechkin joked that he wants to hear something different when he meets with Patrick and MacLellan.
“’I want you to go two more years. This is the contract; sign it,” Ovechkin said of his ideal meeting with the front office.
The Capitals legend isn’t interested in a perfunctory final stretch, though. He said he had never been on a selling team. He was caught by surprise when the Capitals traded away key contributors John Carlson and Nic Dowd at the trade deadline, calling it the saddest day of his career.
Washington has recorded only three seasons with losing records since Ovechkin joined the franchise in 2005. He has become accustomed to winning.
“If I want to come back, it’d have to be a decision. First, are we going to make the playoffs?” he said. “We have to fight for [the Stanley] Cup. Team-wise, that’s the biggest thing for me.”
Fortunately for Ovechkin, the Capitals’ future is bright. The franchise fielded five highly touted rookies this season, including former first-round pick Ryan Leonard and rising stars Ilya Protas, Cole Hutson and Justin Sourdif.
The youngsters have garnered rave reviews from teammates for their maturity and unique skills. Protas brought an unmatched size and physicality to his line. Hutson is a one-of-a-kind puck handler and offensive weapon on the blue line. Leonard and Sourdif grew into leadership roles throughout their first full season at the NHL level.
“They all came in and gelled really quick,” goaltender Logan Thompson said. “That gave the guys [in the locker room] a different perspective; we’re not that far away.”
“This organization has a very exciting future,” said defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
The rookies each received tailored advice from coach Spencer Carbery, mostly about how to grow physically and find consistency.
“That’s the challenge. So you get to that, where guys now understand how they need to play to win in this league and how consistent it has to be,” he said.
Ovechkin doesn’t get the same offseason homework as his teenage teammates.
“[Ovechkin] and I will be more of a casual conversation, just catching up and seeing how the last few days, and what his plans are,” Carbery said. “I’ll respect his space and also his timeline.”
The 40-year-old has not announced an exact timeline for his decision, but said he’ll inform the Capitals of his plans before the summer begins.
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