Alex Ovechkin may be heading into his 21st NHL season, but the Washington Capitals captain is not thinking about retirement just yet. On Saturday, he confirmed he plans to return next season but joked that, at 40 years old, he’ll still need to earn a roster spot.

Alex Ovechkin says he intends to return to the Washington Capitals next season and hopes to make their roster for a 21st NHL season. Ovechkin turns 40 in September.

One day after his head coach said they expected him back next season, Alex Ovechkin confirmed he will return to the Washington Capitals for the 2025-26 campaign.