Ovechkin admits he doesn't plan on finishing his career with Capitals

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Cooper Godin
May 25, 2024 (1:45 PM)

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Washington Capitals captain and future Hall of Famer Alexander Ovechkin is only two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent and many are curious as to what will come once his contract expires.

There's always the chance that Ovechkin will re-sign with the Washington Capitals and remain with the only National Hockey League team he's every known. But, could the nine-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner head home to Russia? It appears that there's a good chance of that happening.

According to KHL coach Vladimir Fedosov, Alexander Ovechkin has said he will finish his professional career in Russia and play for his former club Dynamo Moscow, who he's spent five seasons with.

"He said himself that he would finish his career in Dynamo... the white-and-blue fans can definitely sleep easy. If Alexander's health is good, he will be able to play until the age of 45," Fedosov said.

Ovechkin, 38, will go down as the greatest goal scorer in National Hockey League history by the time his career is over. The Moscow native needs 41 goals to tie and 42 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky as the National Hockey League's all-time leading goal scorer. In 1,426 career games, Ovechkin has 1,550 points (853 goals, 697 assists).

As mentioned, Ovechkin is no stranger to playing for Dynamo Moscow. Prior to entering the NHL in 2005-06, he spent four years with Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Superleague, now KHL. He also returned to the club in 2012-13 as the NHL was in a lockout and appeared in 31 games, tallying 19 goals and 40 points.

While anything can happen between now and 2026, when Alexander Ovechkin becomes an unrestricted free agent, it seems that it's inevitable that he'll finish his career with his former club in Russia. For Ovechkin, being able to return to Dynamo Moscow to finish his career will be a full-circle moment and something that'll mean the world to him.

For now, fans in North America are hoping that Ovechkin will break the NHL's all-time goal scoring record before he heads home and he's getting closer and closer to doing so as the years go by.

Former Dynamo Coach: Ovechkin Said He Plans To Finish Out Hockey Career In Russia