The question "is alex ovechkin retiring this year" has become one of the most searched hockey queries as the 2024-25 NHL season unfolds. Alex Ovechkin, at age 39, sits within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record of 894 — a mark once considered untouchable.
As of the current season, Ovechkin has surpassed 870 career goals, leaving him roughly two dozen away from history.
The problem for fans and fantasy hockey players is simple: conflicting headlines, speculative social media posts, and vague interview quotes create confusion. You need clarity on his actual contract status, his stated intentions, and what retirement would even look like given the record chase.
This article breaks down five verifiable facts about Ovechkin's future, his current contract, his performance trajectory, and what trusted sources actually say. You'll leave with a clear answer and actionable ways to track the situation yourself.
1. Ovechkin's Current Contract Runs Through the 2025-26 Season
Alex Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals in July 2021. That deal carries an average annual value of $9.5 million and does not expire until after the 2025-26 NHL season.
This is the single most important fact to answer "is alex ovechkin retiring this year." A player under contract for next season would need to formally retire, forfeit remaining salary, and negotiate a contract termination with the team. Ovechkin has given zero indication he plans to do that.
According to CapFriendly's publicly archived contract data, Ovechkin's deal includes a 10-team no-trade clause, meaning he controls his destination if a trade were ever discussed. He has repeatedly stated his desire to finish his career in Washington.
How to apply this: Check CapFriendly or PuckPedia for Ovechkin's live contract status before believing any retirement rumor. If the contract still shows active years remaining, treat "retiring this year" claims with skepticism.
2. The Gretzky Record Is the Driving Force — and He's Close
Ovechkin needs fewer than 25 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 career regular-season goals. His 2024-25 season pace has kept him on track to break the record either late in the 2024-25 campaign or early in the 2025-26 season.
NHL.com's official stats page tracks Ovechkin's goal totals in real time. His career goals-per-game rate has declined from his peak, but he remains one of the league's most consistent goal scorers even at 39. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 31 goals despite a slow start — his 18th consecutive season with at least 20 goals, an NHL record.
A common scenario: fans see a three-game goal drought and panic that age has caught up. But Ovechkin's shot volume and power-play role remain elite. The Capitals' power play consistently runs through his left-circle one-timer, giving him high-quality chances every game.
How to apply this: Track his goal pace on NHL.com's stats section. If he stays healthy and maintains even a 30-goal pace, the record falls in 2025 — meaning retirement before then makes no competitive sense.
With fewer than 25 goals needed to pass Wayne Gretzky's 894, the question of is alex ovechkin retiring this year hinges on how quickly that chase ends.
His 2024-25 scoring pace keeps him on track to break the record late this campaign, so is alex ovechkin retiring this year depends on where that milestone lands.
3. Ovechkin Has Publicly Stated His Intentions Multiple Times
In interviews with Russian media outlet Match TV and NHL.com, Ovechkin has been explicit: he wants to break the record and will play as long as he feels productive. He has not announced any retirement timeline.
The Washington Capitals' official website quoted Ovechkin in 2023 saying he wants to "play as long as possible" and that the record is "a goal, but not the only goal." He has also mentioned wanting to play in the 2026 Winter Olympics if NHL players participate.
The NHL's official communications and the Capitals' press releases remain the most reliable sources. No official statement from Ovechkin, his agent, or the Capitals has suggested 2025 retirement.
How to apply this: Follow the Capitals' official news page and Ovechkin's verified social media accounts. If a retirement announcement comes, those channels will carry it first — not rumor accounts.
No retirement announcement has come, making is alex ovechkin retiring this year a matter of speculation rather than stated fact.
In interviews with Match TV and NHL.com, Ovechkin has been explicit that the question of is alex ovechkin retiring this year remains unannounced.
4. His 2024-25 Performance Shows No Signs of Forced Retirement
Ovechkin's production during the 2024-25 season has been strong enough to keep the record chase on schedule. He scored at a pace that, if maintained, would put him within single digits of Gretzky by spring 2025.
The underlying metrics back this up. His shooting percentage, shot attempts per game, and power-play ice time have remained stable compared to his recent seasons. Natural Stat Trick's public data shows his expected goals rate has not collapsed the way some aging players' numbers do.
One important caveat: Ovechkin missed time in November 2024 with a lower-body injury, which briefly slowed his pace. But he returned and resumed scoring, demonstrating that the injury was not career-threatening.
How to apply this: Use Natural Stat Trick to check his shot rates and expected goals. If those numbers stay near his career averages, he's not slowing down enough to retire.
Strong 2024-25 production has kept the record chase on schedule, silencing talk that is alex ovechkin retiring this year.
At his current pace, he would sit within single digits of Gretzky by season's end, which is why is alex ovechkin retiring this year stays unlikely.
5. What Would Retirement Actually Require in 2025?
For "is alex ovechkin retiring this year" to become true, several things would need to happen simultaneously. None of them are currently in motion.
First, Ovechkin would need to file retirement papers with the NHL, forfeiting the remaining year and salary on his contract. Second, the Capitals would need to agree to terminate the contract or place him on long-term injured reserve if health were the issue. Third, Ovechkin would need to abandon a record he has spent two decades chasing.
The NHL's collective bargaining agreement has specific rules about player retirement and cap implications. A player who retires mid-contract typically has their cap hit removed, but the team must navigate recapture rules depending on contract structure. Ovechkin's deal does not have the front-loaded structure that triggers severe recapture penalties.
How to apply this: Understand that retirement is a formal, contractual process — not a casual decision. Until you see official paperwork filed with the NHL, the answer to "is alex ovechkin retiring this year" is no.
Ovechkin Retirement Status: Quick Reference Table
| Factor | Current Status | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Active through 2025-26 | Any contract termination news |
| Goals to record | Under 25 | NHL.com goal tracker |
| Health | Returned from November injury | Games missed due to injury |
| Public statements | No retirement announced | Capitals official news |
| Performance | On pace for 30+ goals | Natural Stat Trick shot data |
The reference table shows an active contract through 2025-26, so is alex ovechkin retiring this year would require a major status change.
Fans monitoring goals-to-record and contract news have the key factors for judging is alex ovechkin retiring this year.
Frequently Asked Questions About is alex ovechkin retiring this year
What happens to the Capitals if Ovechkin retires before his contract ends?
The Capitals would receive immediate salary cap relief if Ovechkin filed retirement papers. However, they would lose their franchise player and primary marketing asset overnight. The team has not prepared for this scenario publicly, and their roster construction assumes Ovechkin plays through the record chase.
The most likely path is that he plays out the contract and retires after the 2025-26 season.
The team has not prepared for that scenario, so is alex ovechkin retiring this year remains a distant front-office concern.
The Capitals would receive immediate salary cap relief, but the question of is alex ovechkin retiring this year still shapes their roster planning.
Could Ovechkin retire mid-season if he breaks the record early?
This is theoretically possible but practically unlikely. Ovechkin has said he wants to keep playing after the record, not stop immediately. If he breaks the record in March 2025, he would almost certainly finish the season and playoffs.
The question "is alex ovechkin retiring this year" ignores that breaking the record and retiring in the same season would be a strange competitive choice for a player still producing.
Does Ovechkin's age make retirement more likely in 2025?
Age 39 is old for an NHL player, but Ovechkin's playing style — built on shot power and positioning rather than speed — ages differently than a rush-dependent winger. He has missed fewer games to age-related decline than many peers. His durability has been remarkable, with only one major injury season (2024-25's lower-body issue) in the past decade.
Age 39 matters less because his shot-and-positioning game ages better than speed, though is alex ovechkin retiring this year can never be fully ruled out.
What did Ovechkin say about playing in the 2026 Olympics?
Ovechkin has repeatedly expressed interest in representing Russia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, assuming the NHL and IIHF reach a participation agreement. This is a strong signal that he does not plan to retire in 2025. A player targeting an Olympic appearance 12 months later is not planning to hang up his skates this year.
His stated interest in playing the 2026 Milan Olympics signals he intends to keep competing, weighing against is alex ovechkin retiring this year.
How can I verify Ovechkin retirement rumors myself?
Check three sources before believing any rumor: the Washington Capitals' official website, NHL.com's player news section, and Ovechkin's verified social media accounts. If none of those three carry a retirement announcement, the rumor is unverified. For contract specifics, use PuckPedia to see his active deal and remaining years. This simple verification habit will save you from misinformation.
Before believing any rumor about is alex ovechkin retiring this year, verify it on Capitals.com, NHL.com player news, and his verified social accounts.
Conclusion
- Ovechkin's contract runs through the 2025-26 season, making 2025 retirement financially and contractually unlikely
- He is within 25 goals of Gretzky's record and has every incentive to keep playing
- His public statements, performance metrics, and Olympic ambitions all point to continued play
- No official source has indicated retirement is imminent
The answer to "is alex ovechkin retiring this year" is a clear no based on all available evidence. The smarter question is when he breaks the record — and the answer to that is likely within the next 12 months. Track his goal pace on NHL.com, follow Capitals official channels, and enjoy watching history unfold.
