Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, will return for the 2026-27 season with the Washington Capitals after signing a one-year contract worth $4.25 million. The deal includes a $1 million base salary and a $3.25 million signing bonus, with a potential additional $4.75 million if he plays at least 10 games, bringing his total salary to $9 million.
Ovechkin, 40, had a productive 2025-26 season, scoring 32 goals and 32 assists in all 82 games. He now has 929 career goals in 1,573 games, having surpassed Wayne Gretzky's record last year. The Capitals missed the playoffs this past season, marking the fifth time since Ovechkin was drafted first overall in 2004 that they have failed to qualify.
