Nhl Leading Goal Scorer Alex Ovechkin Returning On One-year Contract

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will continue to play in the NHL, giving him a chance to add to his record goal total and chase another Stanley Cup.

Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, signed a one-year contract Thursday, July 2. He will earn $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million.

He holds the NHL record with 929 goals. He had passed Wayne Gretzky's 894 goal mark in the 2024-25 season and hit 900 goals in 2025-26.

"I’m back!" said Ovechkin. "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!”

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Ovechkin, who scored 32 goals last season at age 40, will join Sidney Crosby, Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita and Steve Yzerman as the only players in NHL history to play 22 seasons with one franchise. Ovechkin will also surpass Walter Johnson (21 seasons with the Washington Senators: 1907-1927) as the city's longest-tenured athlete.

"Our entire organization is thrilled that Alex has decided to continue playing," Capitals general manager Craig Patrick said. "Alex has proven year after year that he can produce offensively and that he is still the driving force of our team."

What went into Alex Ovechkin's decision

After the season and the final year of his previous contract, Ovechkin said he hadn't made up his mind about his future, but he did leave some hints.

First, he waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they came over to shake his hand after their final meeting of the regular season.

He also said in end-of-season media availability that his two sons wanted him to return.

"They're excited," he said. "They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys."

After missing the playoffs for just the fifth time, he wanted to make sure the Capitals could be a contender.

The Capitals did their part, trading for Jordan Kyrou and then acquiring Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade. When free agency began, they signed Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais.

"We are excited about the additions we made this offseason to bolster our lineup and make our group more competitive," Patrick said. "We believe that our roster is well balanced and will help create more opportunities for Alex to create offense and score goals. In addition, his presence in our locker room – especially with our young players – will continue to be an enormous boost for our organization and will help shape our team culture for years to come."

Everything came together and now Ovechkin is back to add to his records and chase others.

Alex Ovechkin records

• Total goals: 929
• Power play: 331
• Empty net: 72
• Game winners: 141
• Overtime goals: 27
• Goalies scored on: 189,
• 30-goal seasons: 20
• 40-goal seasons: 14
• 50-goal seasons: 9, tied for first

Records Alex Ovechkin still chasing

• 20-goal seasons: He's at 21 seasons, one behind Gordie Howe
• Combined regular-season/playoff goals: He's at 1,006, 10 behind Gretzky.
• Even-strength goals: He's at 593, 24 behind Gretzky.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin returning on one-year contract