Alex Ovechkin will decide whether to continue playing after his five-year contract with the Washington Capitals ends July 1. While awaiting his choice, he has been photographed in Russia working out with close friends, including playing padel, a tennis-squash hybrid on an enclosed court. He also played padel matches with his wife, Nastya Ovechkina, and with Russian television presenter Ksenia Borodina and businessman Maxim Kazantsev. Earlier in the week, he took the court with Stanislav Ishchenko, a professional hockey player who reached the top minor leagues in Russia. Ovechkin finished the 2025-26 season with 32 goals in all 82 games, bringing his NHL total to 929. He said he is “pretty sure” he has not played his last game, but a return depends on conditions, including making the playoffs and fighting for a Cup.
"The 40-year-old future Hockey Hall of Famer is set to decide if he wants to continue his hockey career or officially hang up his skates as his five-year contract with the Washington Capitals officially ends on July 1. While we await news of Ovechkin's choice, the only thing we can do is read the tea leaves. And the tea leaves tell us, Ovechkin is choosing to stay in good physical condition back home."
"Since flying back to Russia last Wednesday, Ovechkin has been photographed several times by one of his closest friends, Gus, working up a sweat by playing padel - a tennis-squash hybrid played on an enclosed court. Late this week, Ovechkin, along with his wife, Nastya Ovechkina, played against Ksenia Borodina, a Russian television presenter and actress, and businessman, Maxim Kazantsev, as documented on Borodina's Instagram."
"During his Breakdown Day interview with reporters, Ovechkin told the media that he's "pretty sure" he hasn't played his last game, but that there were conditions for a potential return. "Obviously, if I want to come back, it has to be a decision," Ovechkin said. "First of all, we're going to make playoffs, and we have to fight for a Cup. That's probably the biggest thing. Otherwise, if you take different scenario, like family-wise, health-wise, but in team-wise, I think this is the most important thing for me.""
"Ovechkin also took the court with Stanislav Ishchenko earlier in the week, a professional hockey player who made it as high as the top minor leagues in Russia. In all the photos, Ovechkin wears a navy blue Capitals hat. The workouts come as the 40-year-old Ovechkin finished the 2025-26 campaign with a team-leading 32 goals after suiting up in all 82 games of the season, pushing his NHL record in tallies to 929."
Read at RMNB
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