Alex Ovechkin to Return to Montreal Canadiens After Final Year with Capitals, Says Wife Nastya Ovechkina

Washington, D.C. — June 1, 2025

In a surprising revelation that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, Nastya Ovechkina, wife of Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, told Russian media on Saturday that the NHL legend plans to finish his career with the Montreal Canadiens after completing the final year of his current contract with Washington.

Speaking to Sport-Express during a charity event in Moscow, Nastya Ovechkina shared what many are now calling the biggest hint yet regarding the future of one of the NHL’s most iconic players.

“Alex has always had great respect for the history of hockey, and Montreal is a very special place in that story,” she said. “We have talked a lot about what comes next after Washington.

He wants to honor his commitment to the Capitals, but then he would like to experience something different, something meaningful. Ending his career in Montreal, where hockey means so much, would be very special.”

Ovechkin, 39, is entering the final year of the five-year deal he signed with the Capitals in 2021. The Russian superstar has spent his entire 20-season NHL career in Washington, becoming the face of the franchise and rewriting the league’s goal-scoring record books along the way. As of the end of the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin sits just 27 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark of 894.

Rumors about Ovechkin’s future have circulated for months, especially as his production has begun to decline with age. Still, few expected the Canadiens — a team with which Ovechkin has no previous ties — to be his reported destination.

NHL insiders are already speculating about what a move to Montreal could mean for both Ovechkin and the Canadiens, who have been rebuilding and nurturing young talent over the last few seasons.

The addition of a player of Ovechkin’s stature, even in the twilight of his career, could provide a jolt of energy and experience to a team that has struggled to regain its former dominance.

“Montreal would give him a dramatic, historic stage for his farewell tour,” said former NHL coach and analyst Barry Melrose. “Imagine him chasing Gretzky’s record in front of fans at the Bell Centre — that’s the kind of story the league dreams of.”

The Capitals organization has not commented on Nastya Ovechkina’s statements, and Alex himself has yet to confirm the report. However, fans are now bracing for what could be the final chapter of a legendary career — one that may not end in D.C. after all.

For now, Ovechkin remains a Capital, but if his wife’s words prove true, the hockey world could be in for one last, unforgettable twist.