The NHL’s national TV partners seem to be preparing for an Alex Ovechkin farewell tour.
Next season, 18 Capitals games — including six of their final seven regular-season matchups — will be nationally broadcast, the league said Wednesday.
Ovechkin, who turns 40 next month, has long said that this season could be his last. His contract expires in June, and the Russian has said he plans to return to his hometown club, Dynamo Moscow, when he’s done playing stateside.
The three-time MVP has waffled on that plan since breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record in April. The rumors continued to swirl after Capitals officials mistakenly sent an email to season-ticket holders proclaiming the 2025-26 campaign as his last. Comments from his wife, Nastasiya, to a Russian outlet fueled the speculation.
“Anything is possible. …” Ovechkin told RG Media at an NHL vs. KHL charity game last month. “Let’s just wait and see.”
The NHL’s broadcast partners are preparing for anything. Of Washington’s 82 regular-season games, eight will air on TNT, with four on ESPN, three on ABC and three streaming exclusives on ESPN+ and Hulu.
The Capitals open the regular season on Oct. 8 at home against the Boston Bruins in a game that will air on TNT. ESPN will broadcast the season finale: an away game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 14.
