Alex Ovechkin returns for 22nd NHL season

sportsJul 2, 202619488

The Washington Capitals announced that 40-year-old captain Alex Ovechkin signed a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season, keeping him in the NHL for a 22nd year. The deal carries an average annual value of $4.25 million, structured as $1 million in salary, a $3.25 million signing bonus, and a $4.75 million performance bonus tied to 10 games played; the Capitals list $975,000 in remaining cap space. Ovechkin said in the team press release, “I’m back,” and added that he is healthy and wants to compete for a playoff spot and a championship. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis praised Ovechkin’s passion and called him the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, and general manager Chris Patrick pointed to offseason additions including Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch, Vincent Desharnais, and Boone Jenner as factors that bolster the roster. Ovechkin played all 82 games last season, led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points, and now has 1,006 career combined goals, 10 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s combined total of 1,016. The contract ends months of retirement speculation and positions Ovechkin to continue chasing another Stanley Cup while serving as a veteran presence for the Capitals’ young players.

RMNB

@rmnb.blog

ALEX OVECHKIN IS BACK! The Washington Capitals announced that Ovechkin signed a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season, deciding against ending his legendary NHL career.

1364h ago

One More Year haver Adam5

Such a nice boy to not make us wait too long

Ashli-Meabh3

PIZZA IS HERE FOR ONE MORE YEAR!!!!!!!

calgaryrds.bsky.social2

Another Putin ass-licker allowed to live in Amerikkka, and in Washington no less!

countryfan93.bsky.social2

FUCK ALEX OVECHKIN Send his FUCKING ASS back 2 RUSSIA

Quoting this

screamlet4

YAY i will cry every game

James O'Hara3

Excellent news mostly because it would have really sucked if he just bounced. Incidentally, I'm still very glad that Ryan Zimmerman's wife told him to stop being a doofus and tell everyone he was going to retire before the season ended.

Mallory3

Front office did their job, they don’t make those moves he disappears to Russia 100%. Let’s go.

Ronnie Wu-Tang2

Russian machine does not break.

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

No. 8 isn't done yet 🐐 At nearly 41 years old, Alex Ovechkin has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $4.25 million to play his 22nd NHL season, the team announced. Details: nyti.ms/4gi5OTt

1034h ago

Marvin Fabulous1

It includes a $1M bonus if he actually backchecks more than 10x in the year.

They call me Jimothy ~1

You mean PUTIN ain’t done with the greatest spy ever~

Tom Gulitti

@tomgulittinhl.bsky.social

Alex Ovechkin is coming back for 22nd season. Signed one-year contract: $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million.

454h ago

Quoting this

Japers' Rink54

I know people's heads may vary on this announcement, but if your heart doesn't love it, what are you even doing here?

Greg Young4

I’m very very in on the Caps this year

One More Year haver Adam4

Finally get to wear this one tomorrow (if it still fits)

Jon C4

This makes me wonder, what's the lowest AAV to ever have a 30+ goal season (adjusted for cap % I guess)?

sargent.major 🔴🏆⚫️2

just retire old man, damn trying to see my Stanley Cup Champions for less than like $200 a ticket

Rick City2

That's awesome. Go Ovi (who am I??)

Douglas Reyes-Ceron

@dreyesceron.bsky.social

how it feels watching one man play hockey when you were 15 years old and knowing you get to see him play as you turn 37 this year

Home Simpson meme of him as a kid in front of a TV and him as an adult but it's Alex Ovechkin in 2005 and 2026

402h ago

NHL (Bot)

@notnhl.bsky.social

THE GR8 IS STAYING ANOTHER YEAR‼️ Alex Ovechkin has signed a one-year deal with the /Capitals! #NHLFreeAgency

364h ago

Quoting this

Ches - STANLEY CUP CHAMPS!!!!!!6

As I predicted, he’s going to stay for another year so that the media coverage can be as obnoxious as possible as he goes on a big loud public retirement tour, coach K style #NHL

Doug!2

$4.25 million will look really good at the deadline when they trade him to a contender for futures

Becca

@beccahjr.bsky.social

Thing that just occurred to me: Alex Ovechkin is a UFA for the first time EVER. I know the options are either he re-signs in DC or retires but man, is that weird to think about him just out there, unsigned.

27Yesterday

Peter Baker

@peterbakernyt.bsky.social

"I'm back!" Alex Ovechkin, the 40-year-old all-time NHL leading scorer, announces he will forgo retirement for now and play again this coming season with the @capitals.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...

223h ago

Toby Applegate2

His workout is to stand just outside the dot and wave his stick for pucks. Great players need to know when to let go.

youvotedforthis2.bsky.social1

I have to wonder if it's about getting his citizenship. He does not yet have it. He is Russian but his children were born here. Hope it works out for him!

Andrew Heimert1

The only Russian Machine that doesn’t break.

Sammi Silber

@sammisilber.bsky.social

The Capitals are going all in. Here's a look at their moves to open free agency, how Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais fit and what they bring to the table, how it impacts Alex Ovechkin and more on the depth adds. Latest @TheHockeyNews: thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...

1519h ago

Japers' Rink

@japersrink.bsky.social

Yeah. Alex Ovechkin is currently not a Washington Capital. wtf.

15Yesterday

ARLnow

@arlnow.bsky.social

JUST IN: Former Arlington resident Alex Ovechkin to continue frequenting Ballston practice facility after signing one-year contract with the Capitals, per team press release

84h ago

NBC4 Washington

@nbcwashington.com

🏒 “I’m back.” Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Capitals.

93h ago

Stephen Whyno

@swhyno.bsky.social

Alex Ovechkin declares, "I'm back!" for a 22nd NHL season with the Capitals, another shot at the Stanley Cup and a chance to put his career goal-scoring record further out of reach for the next player who chases it: apnews.com/article/alex...

71h ago

LNH

@lnh-fr.bsky.social

IL EST DE RETOUR 🤩 Alex Ovechkin signe un nouveau contrat d'une saison avec les Capitals!

44h ago

Varada

@varada.bsky.social

Genuine question: If you are Alex Ovechkin, and you have career earnings of $170,720,893, and you are basically retired and are just chasing further glory at this point...why are you asking for $4.25M plus bonuses? Why not just do the team a favor and play for league minimum?

53h ago