Ovechkin's future has been a major topic of discussion as he heads into the final year of his contract with the Washington Capitals. While he would prefer not to talk about the end of his NHL career just yet, that won't stop speculation about how the Caps could handle honoring the club's best player when he does hang up his skates.
Whenever he does decide to hang up his skates, which Ovechkin has publicly stated he'll consider after the upcoming season, he plans to return to Moscow to open a sports academy and memorabilia museum. He told "Psychologies" his post-playing goal is to give back to the youth of his home country. "I want to pass on my experience to young people and inspire them to play sports," Ovechkin said.
📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB Alex Ovechkin received a slight boost in rating from EA Sports for NHL 26. Ovechkin is back up to 90 overall, one year after dropping into the 80s (89) in the video game franchise for the first time in his career. The legendary winger followed up the digital disrespect by posting 44 goals in 65 games during his age-39 season, breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record along the way.
Ovechkin is no stranger to the music industry. He's famously an enthusiast of the EDM and rap genres, even earning a name drop by Drake in Future's 2022 track, "I'm On One." He rapped himself in Sasha Belyi's Champion back in 2012. Ovechkin even looked like a natural as a rock star, headlining a fake band the Capitals came up with to kick off the "Rock the Red" era in 2008.
Rasmus Sandin: Lots. First off, every season, I kinda ask Ovi for some things to always bring home, so I can keep myself. Everything from a puck that we both played with or was like an assist or something. Now, he wants to keep a lot of it himself. Stick from that game, gloves, signed jersey... So yeah, bunch of things. Elliotte Friedman: Wait a second. He gave you a stick from that game? Rasmus Sandin: No, not from that game, but from that day.
He may have already secured the all-time goals record, but the Caps' brass doesn't expect Alex Ovechkin's motivation to falter. Martin Fehervary is very happy to stay in DC long term after signing his seven-year deal earlier this summer. Hopefully the final year of his current deal gets underway on time, as Fehervary has talked about some recent complications in his rehab from knee surgery.
Alex Ovechkin participated in a ceremonial first kick at a Dynamo Moscow match against FC Krasnodar, greeting players and shaking hands with the manager.
Ovechkin reached out to Darius Kasparaitis during the break for the 4 Nations Face-off, asking if he could train with him in the gym.
Ovechkin expressed deep respect for figure skaters Medvedeva and Valieva, emphasizing their loyalty and hard work, stating they have achieved a lot through willpower.
