Controversy arose within the Washington Capitals after a season ticket holder email announced that the 2025–26 campaign would be Alexander Ovechkin’s final season in the NHL. The message signaled the beginning of the farewell tour for one of the most iconic goal scorers in hockey history.
Ovechkin has been the face of the Capitals for nearly two decades. He is currently nearing the end of his career, having surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s historic goal record to become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer.
The email sent to Washington’s season ticket holders suggested that the upcoming season would be an opportunity to honor Ovechkin’s legacy. However, a recent post from the Capitals aimed to clarify the situation in an unusual way.
The Capitals’ clarification on Ovechkin’s future
“No decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future following the 2025-26 NHL season. An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year,” Caps clarified.
The clarification helped clear up doubts about Ovechkin’s future, as he still has a valid contract with the Capitals and appears set to play in top form during the 2025–26 NHL season. Even though he’ll be 39 years old, and the end of his career seems to be approaching, a mistaken email is certainly not the ideal way to announce the closing chapter of such a glorious era.
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NHL News: Capitals HC Spencer Carbery sends clear message on Alex Ovechkin’s retirement future
The Caps’ numbers with Ovechkin
The Capitals finished the season with an impressive 51–22–9 record, securing first place in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference. While they couldn’t make a deep playoff run, captain Ovechkin remained a key figure, leading the team with 42 goals.
