Alex Ovechkin provides update on extension talks with Capitals

While not surprising news in the slightest, Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin confirmed to reporters in Russia on Saturday that he hasnt had extension talks as he gears up for the final season of the five-year, $47.5M contract he signed back in 2021 (via Andrey Senchenko of RIA Novosti ).

Ovechkin, who turns 40 in September, also seemed to imply that any talks on a new deal would wait until after the 2025-26 season ended.

A year will pass and we will think about it, Ovechkin said (translated from Russian).

Thats in line with the wait-and-see approach that Ovechkin had said hell take ever since last season ended.

The Capitals aggressively walked back an erroneous email that got sent out in late May claiming that 2025-26 would be his final NHL season, and he told Russian media last week that reports of his retirement were pure nonsense.

Its an extremely familiar situation to the last time that Ovechkins deal was set to expire.

He didnt sign that five-year extension until the last day before free agency opened in 2021, so the two sides are obviously comfortable taking things down to the wire.

Theres been no indication that Ovechkin would consider playing for any other NHL team than Washington; its long been speculated that hed head to the KHL for 2026-27 if he doesnt sign another contract with the Caps.

Delaying extension talks also doesnt have nearly as much bearing on Washingtons team-building process as it did five years ago.

Any subsequent contract for Ovechkin would only be for one year, allowing them to load up his deal with performance bonuses to keep his cap hit low if they end up making other moves that take up most of their space.

The Caps also need to consider the future of defense cornerstone John Carlson , also now a pending UFA, as well as a new deal for promising center Connor McMichael , whos a restricted free agent next summer.

Even with those names in play, the Caps are still extremely well set up for the 2026 offseason with $36.5M available to fill seven roster spots, according to PuckPedia .

Thats right around the median in terms of projected cap space next summer, but only six teams have more roster spots already accounted for.

Likely influencing Ovechkins desire to return to Washington will be his desire to chase 1,000 NHL goals, and whether thats even achievable based on what he produces this year.

Injuries limited him to 65 games in 2024-25, but he still managed 44 goals, remarkably his highest goal-per-game pace in five years and enough to make him the leagues all-time leader.

Hes now at 897 in 1,491 games over his 20-year career.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission..

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