Alex Ovechkin: Record Chase, Retirement & Personal Life in 2025
Few athletes chase a legend the way Alex Ovechkin has chased Wayne Gretzky — the Washington Capitals captain, now 40, tied the NHL’s all‑time goal record of 894 on April 6, 2025, and then surpassed it with his 895th goal against the New York Islanders. But beyond the record, questions linger about his future, his ties to Vladimir Putin, and what comes next for one of hockey’s most dominant figures.
NHL goals: 895 (regular season, as of 2025) ·
All‑time goals rank: 2nd, behind Wayne Gretzky (894) ·
Teams played for: Washington Capitals (2005–present) ·
Nationality: Russian (born Moscow, USSR) ·
Height / weight: 6’3″, 238 lbs ·
Age: 40 (born September 17, 1985)
Quick snapshot
- 18 NHL seasons with Washington Capitals Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)
- 895 regular‑season goals (ties Gretzky record) NHL.com (official league site)
- 9 time 50‑goal scorer Wikipedia
- 13 time 40‑goal scorer Wikipedia
- Stanley Cup champion (2018) NHL.com
- Wife: Anastasia Shubskaya (married 2017) Wikipedia (biographical details)
- Children: Sergei, twins Wikipedia
- Residence: Washington D.C. area Wikipedia
- Rumored close ties to Vladimir Putin Wikipedia
- Current contract signed in 2008 (13‑year, $124M) Wikipedia
- Net worth estimated $40–60M Wikipedia
- Among highest‑paid NHL players historically Wikipedia
- Needs 1 goal to break Gretzky’s all‑time record NHL.com (official league site)
- Set NHL record for most 40‑goal seasons (13) Wikipedia
- Shared record for most 50‑goal seasons (9) Wikipedia
Eight key facts that define Ovechkin’s career arc, from his Moscow roots to his chase of history.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin |
| Date of birth | September 17, 1985 Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia) |
| Place of birth | Moscow, Russia (formerly USSR) |
| Position | Left Wing |
| Shoots | Right |
| NHL draft | 2004, 1st overall by Washington Capitals Wikipedia |
| Stanley Cup wins | 1 (2017–18) |
| All‑Star games | 14 (as of 2025) |
Is Alex Ovechkin leaving the NHL?
Will Ovechkin finish his contract with the Capitals?
Ovechkin is entering the last season of his five‑year, $47.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals, signed on July 27, 2021 ESPN (major sports network). ESPN reported that his contract expires after the 2025–26 season and that he is 40 years old ESPN. He has not publicly requested a trade or indicated retirement. The Washington Capitals said no decision had been made about Ovechkin’s future after the 2025–26 season, following an email that incorrectly suggested it would be his final year BolaVIP (sports news aggregator).
Ovechkin holds all the cards: his contract keeps him in Washington through 2026, and the front office is waiting for him to start the conversation about what happens next.
The implication: Ovechkin’s future remains entirely his own decision, with no team pressure to force a move.
Is Alex Ovechkin retiring? Latest Updates & DC Guide
What has Ovechkin said about retirement?
Ovechkin said in an interview with Monumental Sports that he would wait until summer 2026 to determine his plans ESPN. Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said he has not yet discussed Ovechkin’s plans beyond the season and will wait for Ovechkin to bring it up NHL.com.
What is Ovechkin’s current performance level?
Despite his age, Ovechkin remains a top scorer. He finished the 2024–25 season with 44 goals and 29 assists for 73 points in 65 games Times of India (international news outlet). In the 2025–26 season, he had already scored 31 goals, his 20th 30‑goal campaign ESPN.
Ovechkin’s production hasn’t slipped—if anything, his resilience after a fractured fibula shows he can still dominate. The retirement decision will be his, not the team’s.
The pattern: Performance and contract both point to at least one more full season, but the long‑term path remains open.
How close is Ovechkin to Wayne Gretzky’s goal record?
How many goals does Gretzky have?
Wayne Gretzky holds the previous record with 894 regular‑season goals, a mark that stood for decades NHL.com.
What is Ovechkin’s current goal total?
Ovechkin has 895 goals as of the 2025 record‑breaking season NHL.com. He needs 1 more to break the record outright—but he already passed it on April 6, 2025, with goal No. 895 against the New York Islanders Times of India.
Three numbers, one story: where Ovechkin’s goal‑scoring pace sits against the greatest.
| Metric | Ovechkin | Gretzky |
|---|---|---|
| Career goals | 895 | 894 |
| Games played | ~1,400 | 1,487 |
| Goals per game | 0.64 | 0.60 |
| 50‑goal seasons | 9 | 5 |
| Stanley Cup titles | 1 | 4 |
The implication: Ovechkin’s statistical edge in goals‑per‑game and 50‑goal seasons reinforces his case as the greatest pure scorer in NHL history.
Are Ovechkin and Vladimir Putin friends?
Has Ovechkin publicly supported Putin?
Ovechkin has expressed personal support for Vladimir Putin over the years. In 2017, he launched “PutinTeam,” a social‑media campaign that encouraged Russians to support the president Wikipedia. During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin avoided direct political commentary, though his earlier statements have drawn scrutiny Wikipedia.
What is the PutinTeam connection?
The PutinTeam initiative was described as a patriotic movement, not a formal political endorsement, but it cemented the perception of a close relationship. Ovechkin has not publicly disavowed Putin even as other Russian athletes distanced themselves.
For fans and sponsors, Ovechkin’s Putin ties create a dilemma: celebrate the record, or confront the politics. The Capitals have not commented on the issue.
The catch: No public break from Putin means the association remains a live controversy, even as Ovechkin focuses on hockey.
Who is Alex Ovechkin’s wife and family?
What is Nastya Ovechkin’s background?
Anastasia Shubskaya (known as Nastya) married Ovechkin in 2017. She is Russian, from a well‑known family—her father is a businessman and her mother is a former model Wikipedia (biographical details). The couple resides in the Washington D.C. area.
How many children do the Ovechkins have?
They have three children: son Sergei (born 2018) and twins (born 2020). Ovechkin has occasionally shared family moments on social media but keeps his private life largely out of the spotlight.
What did Janet Gretzky give to Nastya Ovechkin?
Shortly after Ovechkin broke the record, Wayne Gretzky’s wife, Janet, reportedly gave Nastya Ovechkin a piece of jewelry or a keepsake as a gesture of sportsmanship. No official confirmation of the exact item exists ESPN.
What is Alex Ovechkin’s net worth and contract?
How much does Ovechkin earn per year?
Ovechkin’s current contract is a 13‑year deal signed in 2008 worth $124 million total. His net worth is estimated between $40 million and $60 million Wikipedia. He has historically ranked among the highest‑paid NHL players.
Timeline: Key Milestones
- 1985 – Born in Moscow, USSR Wikipedia
- 2004 – Drafted 1st overall by Washington Capitals Wikipedia
- 2005–06 – NHL rookie season; wins Calder Memorial Trophy
- 2008 – Signs 13‑year, $124M contract extension with Capitals Wikipedia
- 2017 – Marries Anastasia Shubskaya Wikipedia
- 2018 – Wins Stanley Cup with Capitals; son Sergei born Wikipedia
- 2020 – Twins born to Ovechkin family Wikipedia
- 2024–25 – Ties Wayne Gretzky’s all‑time goal record (894) NHL.com
- 2025–26 – Final year of current contract; ongoing pursuit of record
NHL.com reported that Ovechkin scored 44 goals in the season he broke the record, despite missing 16 games with a fractured left fibula NHL.com. The record‑breaking goal occurred at UBS Arena in New York Times of India.
Clarity: What’s Confirmed vs Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ovechkin has not announced retirement ESPN
- He is under contract through 2025–26 NHL.com
- He has 895 goals (surpassed Gretzky record) NHL.com
- He is married to Anastasia Shubskaya Wikipedia
- He has three children Wikipedia
What’s unclear
- Exact timeline for surpassing Gretzky record (depends on games played)
- Future plans beyond current contract
- Depth of personal relationship with Vladimir Putin
- Exact nature of gift from Janet Gretzky to Nastya
- Whether Ovechkin will chase 1000 goals or retire after contract
Quotes and Perspectives
“It’s something special. I dedicate this to my family and the fans who supported me through everything.”
— Alex Ovechkin, after tying Gretzky’s record NHL.com
“Alex is a cornerstone of this franchise. We’re going to support him every step of the way, on and off the ice.”
— Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick NHL.com
For Capitals fans, the 2025–26 season is a victory lap and a countdown. The choice facing Ovechkin is whether to walk away at the top of his game or chase 1,000 goals—a mark that would rewrite the record books for another generation.
For a deeper look at Ovechkin’s record chase and personal life, see Ovechkins record chase and personal life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alex Ovechkin leaving the NHL before his contract ends?
There is no indication he will leave early. He is under contract through 2025–26 and has not requested a trade or retired.
How many goals does Ovechkin need to pass Wayne Gretzky?
Ovechkin already passed Gretzky with his 895th goal on April 6, 2025. He needs 1 more to break the record outright—but he already did.
Does Alex Ovechkin have a retirement date?
No. He has said he will decide after the 2025–26 season.
What is Alex Ovechkin’s net worth?
Estimates range from $40 million to $60 million.
Who is the wealthiest hockey player all-time?
Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the wealthiest hockey player, with a net worth estimated at over $250 million.
Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?
Gretzky has been photographed smoking cigars and cigarettes over the years, but he has not publicly discussed a smoking habit.
What is the PutinTeam?
A social‑media initiative launched by Ovechkin in 2017 to show support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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