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    Sammi Silber
    Sammi Silber
    May 17, 2025, 16:58
    Updated at: May 17, 2025, 17:39

    WASHINGTON — When asked what the future holds, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin cracked a grin.

    "Actually, I just pack my stuff, I'm going to Hershey," he joked. "They have playoffs, so... I'll see you there."

    Despite questions regarding his future, Ovechkin said he's looking forward to returning next season and doing what he can to help the Capitals finish what they started this season.

    “I’m gonna try to do my best to play and my team is going to help me, too," Ovechkin said, adding, "I just want to come back next year and see the team who's capable of winning the Stanley Cup."

    Ovechkin is coming off a historic 20th season in the NHL, where he scored 44 goals — the third-most in the league — to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the league's all-time leading goal scorer, despite breaking his leg early in the year. He led D.C. with five goals through the playoffs.

    Healthy going into the summer, the 39-year-old will return home to Russia, where he and trainer Pavel Burlachenko will work on different things to prepare for the upcoming campaign.

    "I'm going to use those couple months (in the offseason) to rest, enjoy my life, then back to work," Ovechkin said, adding, "Me and Pavel gonna do our job to get ready for the season and just do my best," Ovechkin said.

    After that, Ovechkin will take things day by day.

    "First of all, (I have) to make a roster at 40 years old," Ovechkin joked. "Like, I have to pass skating test.

    "We’ll see what’s gonna happen," he added. "I’m gonna try to do my best to be able to do well next year, and how I said, we’ll see.”