After weeks of speculation sparked by a Washington Capitals email and vague public comments, Alex Ovechkin’s wife has clarified the family’s plans. Anastasia Ovechkina confirmed in an interview with aif.ru that the 2025–26 season will be her husband’s last in the NHL, and that the family will return to Russia once the season ends.

The Washington Capitals said an email sent out Thursday announcing that the 2025-26 campaign will be legendary forward Alex Ovechkin's final NHL season is not accurate.

The Washington Capitals said Thursday that no decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future in the NHL after an email was sent to season-ticket holders calling next season his last. The team on social media said that the email was mistakenly sent by someone in the corporate sales department.