The Washington Capitals will be seeing Alex Ovechkin sooner rather than later, as the captain is set to return to the United States in the next few weeks. According to RIA Novosti [https://rsport.ria.ru/20250811/ovechkin-2034509465.html], Ovechkin will fly back to D.C. from Russia in early September in order to begin preparation for the 2025-26 season. It's business as usual for No. 8, who will take part in informal skates [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/players/capitals-kick-off-informal-skates-at-medstar-capitals-iceplex] with the group before training camp starts later in the month. Ovechkin is entering his 21st NHL season and the final season of the five-year extension he signed in 2021. He no longer faces the pressure of having to chase Wayne Gretzky, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/with-895-goals-a-huge-weight-comes-off-ovechkins-shoulders-and-a-new-record-legacy-is-set] as he overtook No. 99 as the league's all-time leading goal scorer at the end of last year with 44 goals in 65 games. The 39-year-old has kept busy this offseason, vacationing in Turkey before returning to Russia. Back home, he's been honored for breaking the goals record [https://thehockeynews.com/bbs/NHLCAPS/posts/create/raOL6oS4uFhdthV9hYZa] while also working with longtime trainer Pavel Buralchenko and getting back on the ice for a handful of charity games. Sergei Ovechkin Scores 4 Goals Playing With Dad At Ovi Cup - Community Post [https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1954116733087911936/img/DBw5oEYj6offh2FT.jpg:large] Sergei Ovechkin Scores 4 Goals Playing With Dad At Ovi Cup - Community Post Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin watched his son score four goals in the Ovi Cup gala match back home in Russia on Saturday. Two of them were scored in the same period on New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/community/latest-news/sergei-ovechkin-scores-2-goals-playing-with-dad-at-ovi-cup] When it comes to Ovechkin's future beyond this season, he remains undecided [https://www.dcbackcheck.com/p/washington-captains-captain-alex-ovechkin-shuts-down-rumors-retirement]and hasn't ruled out the possibility of signing an extension based on how the season plays out.
