Stunning admission by Alex Ovechkin on his future in the NHL

Earlier this offseason, someone made a huge blunder when the Washington Capitals sent out an email to its season ticket holders, mistakenly alluding to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year in the NHL.

While the Capitals made sure to correct the mistaken report, Ovechkin is turning 40 and with him surpassing Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer this past season and the upcoming one being the final year of his contract, it could be the end indeed.

But on Saturday, Ovechkin spoke to RIA Novosti and opened up on his future in the NHL and what may be coming next.

“We’re not negotiating yet,” Ovechkin said, per a DeepL translation. “Would I like to stay with Washington? A year will pass, we’ll think, we’ll wait, we’ll see.”

For several weeks now, ever since the Capitals were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the second round, rumours have surfaced on what’s next for the veteran superstar. Just recently, Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, was misquoted in Russia as saying that the family would return to Russia after his contract expires.

Ovechkin has mentioned on several occasions how he would love to play for his hometown team, Dynamo Moscow, in the KHL after his NHL career comes to an end. But he’s never put a date on when that will be.

The Capitals’ captain defended his wife, calling the rumours “pure nonsense” and said that he has not made any decision regarding his future in the NHL.

Though his comments on Saturday are causing concern to NHL’s fans, especially in Washington.

Ovechkin, who had 44 goals and 73 points in 65 games this past season, sits just three goals away from 900 and would be the first player in NHL history to hit that mark.

Could he want to stay longer and reach a 1000?