OVI IS BACK!
The oft-discussed, heavily-rumored, little-known, and long-awaited decision has been made: Alex Ovechkin is coming back for a 22nd season in DC, agreeing to a one-year deal to return to the Washington Capitals for the 2026-27 season.
The deal, announced by the team Thursday, makes him the longest-tenured athlete in DC sports history.
“I’m back!” said Ovechkin in the team’s release. “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’s deal is an intricately worked one, as he will earn up to $9 million, but count just $4.25 million AAV for cap purposes; that $4.25 million is a $1 million salary and $3.25 million signing bonus, and the other $4.75 million could, and likely will, come in the form of a games player bonus if he reaches 10 games played this season.
“We are excited to have Alex return and continue his illustrious career,” Caps owner Ted Leonsis said in the team’s statement. “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, who turns 41 in September, wasn’t quite the O of old last season, but still played all 82 games and led the Caps in goals (32) and points (64), and those 32 goals were the third most by a player age 40 or older in NHL history. He is of course the NHL’s all-time goals leader with 929 and counting, and surpassed the 1,000 total goals (regular season and playoffs) mark last year as well.
And now, the only NHL player ever to win a Stanley Cup and all of the Conn Smythe, Calder, Art Ross, Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Maurice Richard Trophies passes Walter Johnson, who played for the Washington Senators from 1907-27, as the longest-tenured athlete in DC history, and he and Sidney Crosby are poised to become just the fifth and sixth NHL Players ever to play 22 seasons with one franchise.
“Our entire organization is thrilled that Alex has decided to continue playing,” said GM Chris Patrick. “Alex has proven year after year that he can produce offensively and that he is still the driving force of our team. We are excited about the additions we made this offseason to bolster our lineup and make our group more competitive. We believe that our roster is well balanced and will help create more opportunities for Alex to create offense and score goals. In addition, his presence in our locker room - especially with our young players - will continue to be an enormous boost for our organization and will help shape our team culture for years to come.”
The re-signing of Ovechkin continues what has been a busy 10 days for the Capitals, who acquired forwards Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch last week, signed three forwards and two defensemen on Day 1 of free agency Wednesday, and selected 17-year-old Finnish center Oliver Suvanto in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft last Friday.
