The Capitals captain is undecided about what's next.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin remains undecided on his NHL future, and will make that final decision regarding what's next this summer.
The Capitals shared a snippet of an interview Ovechkin had with broadcaster John Walton, where he shared that he has not yet decided on what's next and will not announce anything until the summer. That's when he'll confer with family and the front office on whether or not he'll return or hang up the skates.
"We’re gonna make the decision in the summer," Ovechkin told Walton. "I have to talk to my family, Ted (Leonsis), (Chris Patrick), (Brian MacLellan) and will make the decision in the summer.”
Ovechkin also said that the decision will depend a lot on how he's feeling "health-wise."
"I’m gonna be 41 years old in September, so just have to be smart about it," Ovechkin said.
The full interview will air on Caps Pregame Live ahead of the team's Wednesday meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ovechkin has been able to maintain his scoring rate in his 21st NHL season, picking up 31 goals and 30 assists for 61 points in 78 games and adding to his record of the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history. He made more history, too, joining Wayne Gretzky with 1,000 combined career goals between regular season and playoffs and passing Gordie Howe for the most 25-goal seasons ever.
Washington currently sits five points out of playoff position with four games to go in the regular season. Ovechkin has one home game left, a meeting with Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon.