Caps deny next season will be Ovechkin's last after email mixup

The Washington Capitals denied next season will be Alex Ovechkin's last in the NHL after an email sent from an employee in the team's corporate sales department indicated so.

A screenshot of the email, apparently intended for the team's season ticket holders, circulated Thursday before the Capitals announced it was false.

The 2025-26 campaign is the final season on Ovechkin's contract, which pays him $9.5 million annually. The 39-year-old hasn't said if he intends to sign another deal.

Ovechkin just concluded his 20th season with the Capitals, who drafted him first overall in 2004. The three-time MVP had a monumental campaign as he shattered Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record after recovering from a broken leg.

Ovechkin had a resurgent campaign to set the new benchmark, registering 44 goals in 65 games. His career tally is now at 897 is 1,491 games.

The Capitals were the top seed in the Eastern Conference in this year's playoffs but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.