The Washington Capitals completed the regular season as the best team in the Eastern Conference but fell in five games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In much better news for the franchise, team captain Alex Ovechkin confirmed Saturday that he will return for a 21st NHL season in 2025-26

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.

After a season when he became the NHL's all-time goal-scoring leader, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said Saturday he still has more to give to the game and will return for his 21st NHL season in 2025-26 at the age of 40.