Is Alex Ovechkin retiring? What we know about the Capitals star

Alex Ovechkin's NHL future hangs in the balance as the league's greatest goalscorer of all time contemplates a big decision: retirement.

We're in the final days of the 2025-26 NHL regular season and while the Washington Capitals remain in the playoff race, a postseason run is not looking likely. And with just a handful of games remaining, hockey fans are wondering if Ovechkin is planning to hang up his skates when the book closes on this season. Ovechkin is in the last year of a five-year contract and has officially crossed the age 40 mark, so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the NHL's greatest goalscorer ends his career after this season.

Ovechkin has gone on record recently stating that a decision on his retirement will be made this summer. That, however, hasn't stopped rumors from swirling or teams giving Ovechkin a well-deserved ovation in his honor in his final few games of the season. On Saturday night, Pittsburgh Penguins fans saluted Ovechkin in what might have been his final game in the city.

Then on Sunday, Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby took a photo together at center ice during the Capitals last home game of the season.

So, is Ovechkin really retiring? Given his statement that he plans to make a decision this summer, it's hard to say right now. But at the very least, hockey fans and his NHL peers are looking to savor every last moment of this season with Ovechkin on the ice.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Is Alex Ovechkin retiring? What we know about the Capitals star