Alex Ovechkin isn’t done yet.
The NHL’s all-time leading scorer signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract to return to the Capitals for a 22nd season, the team announced Thursday.
Ovechkin will earn $9 million next year as long as he plays 10 games, according to The Athletic.
In April, Ovechkin was weighing retirement and said his future would depend on health going into his age-41 season.
“I’m back!” Ovechkin said in a release. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win.”
“I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
The 40-year-old scored 32 goals and tallied 64 points while playing all 82 games last season, but the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.
Though the Capitals missed the postseason, the 2004 first-overall pick has little to add to his résumé entering Year 22.
In addition to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals scored ever in April 2025, Ovechkin has helped the Capitals to three Presidents’ Trophies as the best regular season team during his tenure.
He also helped bring the Capitals their first Stanley Cup title in 2018.
After scoring 15 goals in 24 playoff games, Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Overall, Ovechkin has 929 career goals and 1,687 points in 1,573 regular-season games, while having 77 goals and 147 points in 161 postseason games.
In what may likely be the legend’s final season, the Capitals will look to build off a 43-30-9 finish last year and return to the postseason.
