Ovechkin Re-Signs 1-Year, $4.25 Million Capitals Deal for 22nd Season

Q: After breaking Gretzky's record, what personal milestones could Alex Ovechkin still be chasing this season?

After taking Gretzky’s regular-season goals record, Ovechkin’s next realistic personal targets are to keep pushing that mark higher and to chase a few age- and franchise-related milestones. The biggest headline number is 930 and beyond. He enters this season with 929 career goals, so every goal further extends the NHL record he seized in 2025. A larger stretch goal would be another 50-goal season, which would give him a record 10th such season, breaking his tie with Gretzky and Mike Bossy. At his age, that would also be a remarkable longevity feat. He also has a chance to add to several records he already owns, including career power-play goals, overtime goals, game-winning goals, and his totals for 30-goal and 40-goal seasons. Those are not as celebrated as the Gretzky chase was, but they would deepen his statistical separation from the rest of NHL history. Within Washington’s record book, Ovechkin is also close to Nicklas Backstrom’s franchise assists mark. He has 758 assists, four behind Backstrom’s 762, so he could become the Capitals’ all-time leader in assists as well as goals. If Washington reaches the playoffs, he could also make a run at Backstrom’s team playoff assists record. A more distant all-time target is Gretzky’s combined regular-season and playoff goal total of 1,016, though that remains a much steeper climb.

3 articles · Updated · NHL.com · Jul 2

Washington brought back Alex Ovechkin on a one-year extension carrying a $4.25 million average annual value, with $1 million in salary, a $3.25 million signing bonus and a $4.75 million games-played bonus.
Ovechkin said he is healthy and eager to return in September, while the Capitals framed the move as part of a summer roster build aimed at a playoff berth and Stanley Cup contention.
929 career goals make Ovechkin the NHL’s all-time leader, and the 41-year-old will become one of only six players to spend 22 seasons with one franchise in 2026-27.
Last season, he played all 82 games, led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points, and became the first NHL player to reach 900 regular-season goals.