Next ice: when Ovechkin will return to Dynamo

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington's captain and the best sniper in NHL history, has confirmed that he intends to end his career at Dynamo Moscow, the club where he began his professional career. After signing a new one-year contract with the Capitals, the forward's return to Russia is likely to take place no earlier than the 2027/28 season, when he will already be 42 years old. Whether the legendary hockey player can still be useful on the ice, how realistic this scenario is, and what his arrival will bring to the blue and white and the entire KHL is in the Izvestia article.

Exactly for Dynamo

It seems that for the first time Alexander seriously thought about ending his career in 2020. Then the 35-year-old hockey player promised to play his last match in his career for Dynamo. However, this statement was accompanied by a certain number of reservations about the state of health.

"Of course, God grant that my health is good and I would finish here in Russia, at Dynamo Moscow. No, I'm not kidding, I'll be back. And it's not a question of money. It's just a matter of principle, because I've only played for two teams, Dynamo and Washington. I want to end on a beautiful note, to play the last match for Dynamo Moscow," Ovechkin admitted in an interview with RTVI.

The next time the topic was raised was in 2025, a year before the completion of the contract with Washington. In a conversation with Igor Rabiner, a Sports Express journalist, Alexander did not even imagine that he could extend the agreement with the American team.

— Will I stay in Washington after the end of the 2025/26 season? I don't think so. Let's see how the situation develops. Most likely, yes, I will return to Dynamo. If your health permits. It's hard to make a wish for such a long time now," Ovi said at the time.

As we can see, everything is fine with your health. There is even a one-year agreement with Washington for $9 million (when performing the simplest bonuses).

"I'm happy for Washington and Alexander Ovechkin that they have re—signed," three-time Stanley Cup winner Vyacheslav Fetisov told Izvestia. — You did everything right from all points of view. I wish Sasha to prepare well for the new season. And the team will be successful next year and compete for the Stanley Cup.

At the same time, promises to end his career in his native Moscow club have not disappeared. Ovechkin confirmed his intentions just a couple of days ago.

"Once he said it, it means that it will be so," two—time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov told Izvestia. — It will be great for Dynamo and hockey in Russia. He loves his club. A normal solution.

Apparently, his return to the KHL will take place in September 2027, when Ovechkin will be 42 years old. But will he be useful to the Moscow club at that age?

Bonus bonus: under what conditions Ovechkin remains in the NHL

The legendary forward has extended his contract with Washington to complete the greatest sniper chase in hockey history.

See Ovi

The simple answer is yes. At that age, many hockey players remain competitive in the NHL. In the KHL, the level of resistance is much lower. One recent example is Pavel Datsyuk, who played for Avtomobilist at the age of 42. In his last season, he scored 38 (13+25) points, which is a solid figure.

What can we say about the best sniper in the history of the National Hockey League with excellent health. Ovechkin has missed only 51 games in 21 seasons due to injuries. Moreover, a third of these passes were during the 2024/25 season, when Alexander suffered a broken leg. Even his teammates were sometimes surprised at how quickly their captain always recovered.

"I am very glad that he extended his contract with Washington," two—time Stanley Cup winner and Utah defender Mikhail Sergachev said in an interview with Izvestia. — This is very important for the whole league. If it turns out that this is Alexander's last year, then you need to spend it with honors and thank him for his career by saying thank you. I think he raised the league and took it to a new level. He leaves her in good hands, so Alexander is a great guy. I'm proud to know him, to have played with him, and to play with him again.

Returning to Dynamo is also an opportunity to watch Ovechkin live for those hockey fans who missed his performances during the 2012-13 lockout season. Then the forward managed to play only 31 matches, in which he scored 19 goals. By the way, he only left the ice four times without effective actions.

His friends also want to see Ovi in Russia. Evgeny Kuznetsov, with whom Alexander won the Stanley Cup, actively advocates this.

"Does he need to stay in the NHL? No. I want him to come home," Evgeny said in one of the sports shows.

Ovechkin did not listen to his friend and signed another contract with Washington. It is now clear to everyone that he will be the last. And it is also obvious to everyone that we will see Alexander in the KHL too.