July 2 (Reuters) – Alex Ovechkin passed on retirement to return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year deal.
The Capitals announced the agreement for next season with the 40-year-old is worth $4.25 million, keeping the NHL’s all-time leader in goals in Washington and out of the rocking chair.
“I’m back,” Ovechkin said in the team-issued statement Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin can tack on $4.75 million in the form of a bonus by playing only 10 games, the team said. His base salary is $1 million with a signing bonus of $3.25 million.
“We are excited to have Alex return and continue his illustrious career,” team owner Ted Leonsis said. “Ever since we drafted him, there have been two constants: his love for the game and his relentless drive to win. Alex has always shown a deep commitment to his teammates, this organization, and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
“I am incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished in a Capitals sweater, and I have no doubt he will continue to add to that legacy next season. He has defined excellence for this franchise and set a standard, and we are thrilled to have him continue writing this next chapter of his remarkable career.”
Ovechkin completed a five-year, $47.5 million deal when the 2025-26 season ended. He said at his exit interview he expected to play hockey again, but wasn’t committed to signing another contract until Thursday.
He turns 41 before the start of the upcoming season.
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record with career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin has upped his goal total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 times this past season.
Ovechkin is 10th all-time in NHL history in total points (1,687).
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.
–Field Level Media
(Reporting by Nicole Fernandes in Toronto; editing by Clare Fallon)
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