Capitals’ Ovechkin hints at returning to NHL, ‘pretty sure’ he won’t retire

Alex Ovechkin can’t dodge the questions about his retirement.

Fans ask him. Media members ask him. Even his two sons have joined the chorus, desperate to know whether the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will return for one more run with the Washington Capitals.

On Thursday, Ovechkin finally provided a hint about his future, noting that he’s “pretty sure” Tuesday’s season-ending win over the Columbus Blue Jackets was not his final NHL game in a season that saw the Capitals miss the playoffs.

“I hope it’s not,” he said during Washington’s final media availability of the season.

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will be 41 years old next season. But the left winger led the Capitals with 32 goals and played in all 82 games while pushing his retirement decision toward the summer.

The Moscow native has repeatedly said he would base his final decision on his health. But his family members are putting their fingers on the scale.

“My kids have already asked me, ’Dad, are you staying?’” Ovechkin said. “They’re excited because they love the city and they love the team.”

The players in Washington’s locker room share that sentiment.

“Everyone’s respectful of his decision. Obviously, we all want him back,” Capitals center Dylan Strome said. “You wouldn’t find a person in this organization that doesn’t want him back.”

If Ovechkin opts against retirement, the decision to re-sign him falls on general manager Chris Patrick and Brian MacLellan, the Capitals’ president of hockey operations. Ovechkin is technically a free agent, though he said Thursday he couldn’t see himself joining another NHL franchise.

The 12-time All-Star has heard fans chant for “one more year” during the Capitals’ final games. Ovechkin joked that he wants to hear something different when he meets with Patrick and MacLellan.

“’I want you to go two more years. This is the contract; sign it,’” Ovechkin said of his ideal meeting with the front office.