Will Alex Ovechkin retire? Capitals star's kids want him to keep playing

As Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin debates whether to retire or return for a 22nd NHL season, he has two big supporters for the second option.

"My kids are already asking me, 'Dad are you staying or not?'" he told reporters at his end of season media session. "I tell them, "We'll see.

"They're excited. They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys."

The NHL's all-time leading scorer said on Thursday, April 16, that he hopes that the season-ending win in Columbus won't be his last game.

But he said he will have to talk to the team and to family before making a decision. He didn't give a timeline.

"If I'm going to come back, it would have to be a decision, first of all, are we going to make the playoffs and are we going to fight for a Cup?" he said.

The Capitals missed the playoffs by four points, just the fifth time Ovechkin hasn't been in the postseason. He thought he and his line were inconsistent at times and noted that the game has become a lot faster.

Still, at age 40, he played all 82 games and scored 32 goals, giving him an NHL-record 929. He's excited about the team's youngsters, particularly Ryan Leonard and late-season signee Cole Hutson.

Asked specifically what he'd like to hear when he meets with general manager Chris Patrick to discuss the team, he joked, "We want you for two more years. This is the contract. Sign it."

Asked if the free agent would consider signing with another NHL team, Ovechkin said, "Probably not. No."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Capitals' Alex Ovechkin says his kids want him to play, not retire