Skip to main content

Peter Laviolette thinks there’s a ‘chance’ Alex Ovechkin plays into his 40s

By Matt Weyrich

Laviolette: There’s a ‘chance’ Ovechkin plays into his 40s originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Alex Ovechkin is no spry youngster, but the 36-year-old is playing some of the best hockey of his life through the Capitals’ first 23 games this season. Ovechkin enters play Wednesday second in the NHL in both goals (19) and points (37) as he embarks on the first season of a five-year extension he signed last offseason.

Though Ovechkin will be 40 years old when his contract expires, Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette told 106.7 The Fan’s Sports Junkies on Wednesday that he won’t rule out him playing beyond the 2025-26 campaign.

“I think that there’s a chance,” Laviolette said of Ovechkin playing into his early 40s. “Listen, he loves the game, he loves the team. A lot of it has to do with health, I think, as you get older but right now he’s still strong. I could see that happening.”

Ovechkin has appeared in 1,220 games to date, which ranks fourth among active players. The current active leader is Florida Panthers center Joe Thornton, who faced the Capitals on Tuesday in his 1,692nd career game. Thornton, 42, is chasing his former teammate Patrick Marleau (1,779) for the all-time record.

In order to catch Marleau, Ovechkin would have to play at least another seven seasons after the 2021-22 campaign, meaning he would be still on the ice at 43 years old. That’s a long ways away, but Laviolette isn’t betting against Ovechkin by any means.

All about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info

By NBC Sports Washington Staff
All about Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonEver since making his NHL debut in 2005, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has proven to be the greatest goalscorer the sport has ever seen.The 2004 No. 1 overall pick scored two goals in his first career game and hasn't stopped finding the back of the net at record pace, putting him within reach of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals mark. Ovechkin has compiled an impressive trophy case along the way, winning three Hart Memorial Trophy MVPs, a record nine Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the NHL's leading goal scorer, nine NHL First-Team selections, 12 all-star selections, the 2018-19 Stanley Cup title and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of that year's playoffs.He is undoubtedly one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Alex Ovechkin's BioHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 238 poundsBirthdate: Sept. 17, 1985 Birthplace: Moscow, RussiaNHL experience: 17 seasonsJersey No. 8Alex Ovechkin's Career StatsAfter showing no signs of slowing down with a 50-goal season in Year 17, Ovechkin has continued to put up mind-boggling stats deep into his 30s. Here are his complete career numbers to date (through Oct 11, 2022): 1,274 games played780 goals scored630 assists1,410 pointsStanley Cup Playoffs:141 games71 goals64 assists135 pointsAlex Ovechkin's Contract DetailsIt was always a matter of "when" and not "if" Alex Ovechkin would sign a contract extension with the Capitals this past offseason. The five-year, $47.5 million deal he signed at the end of July 2021 showed his desire to finish his career in the nation's capital with an eye towards breaking the all-time goals record as well. Ovechkin's deal ends following the 2025-26 season. Where does Alex Ovechkin rank on the all-time goals list? Ovechkin finished his 17th NHL season with a clean 50 goals, bringing his career total to 780. Here's where that ever-growing mark ranks on the all-time goals leaderboard: Wayne Gretzky: 894Gordie Howe: 801Alex Ovechkin: 780Jaromir Jagr: 766Brett Hull: 741Other Alex Ovechkin RecordsMuch has been made about Ovechkin's all-time goals chase, but he's also accumulated some other pretty impressive records along the way as well. Most recently, Ovi broke the all-time power play goals mark with his 275th score on New Year's Eve against the Red Wings. By a second, he narrowly beat the release of Detroit's man in the penalty box to secure the record. Here are some of the Great 8's other all-time NHL records: Most scoring titles: nineMost overtime goals: 24Most consecutive 30-goal seasons: 15 (tied with Jaromir Jagr and Mike Gartner)
Read Next Story

Related News

All about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info

NHL all-time goals leaders: Can Ovechkin top Gretzky?

Peter Laviolette not surprised Tom Wilson is having career year at 27