Alex Ovechkin says he still has love and passion for the game, doesn’t know when he’ll retire: ‘You have to enjoy the moment’

Alex Ovechkin recently spoke to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan about reaching his latest milestone — becoming the 24th player in NHL history to suit up in 1,500 games — and his thoughts about when he might retire.

While his answers were brief, Ovechkin admitted that his health will be the most significant factor in his decision-making, as he doesn’t want to push his body past the point of no return.

Kaplan conducted the interview ahead of the Washington Capitals’ nationally televised game against the Dallas Stars on ESPN, Tuesday night.

Transcript

Emily Kaplan: “When you started, did you ever think 1,500 was possible?

Alex Ovechkin: No, no. Not a chance.

Emily Kaplan: What was your goal then?

Alex Ovechkin: One game.

Emily Kaplan: Only seven other guys have done it just with one team. What did it take to get there?

Alex Ovechkin: Everything. I think it’s luck, health-wise, trust from your coaches, from your ownership. It’s a tremendous honor. Lucky enough to play so many years in one team. Health-wise, you know, like, I wish everybody can make that numbers.

Emily Kaplan: You’re literally the greatest goal scorer of all time. What still motivates you at this point?

Alex Ovechkin: I still love game. I still have passion. You just enjoy it because you never know when you’re going to get hurt or when you’re going to be retired.

Emily Kaplan: And you’re in the last year of your contract. A lot of people want to know how long you’ll keep playing. When will you know when it’s time to hang them up?

Alex Ovechkin: Most important thing is health. I don’t want to play hockey and then, like, when I’m retired, like, I don’t want– like, I can play soccer with my kids or I can skate with them. Right now, I’m just– I want to take as much energy from a crowd. You have to enjoy the moment.

Ovechkin’s interview with Kaplan follows what he’s said in past chats about his future. At Capitals training camp in September, Ovechkin told the media that he had yet to make a decision.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Do you know? I don’t know if it’s going to be last. We’ll see.”

When asked about possible contract extension talks this season, Ovechkin replied, “No, not [thinking about another contract] yet. So, we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

While Capitals players have tried to avoid thinking about the possibility of an Ovechkin-less Capitals team, general manager Chris Patrick has taken an approach where he’s leaving everything up to the team’s legendary player.

“I want him to have the space to have this season go how he wants it to go,” Patrick said. “And, you know, if he wants to talk, we’ll talk. If not, we’ll figure it out later.

“I’m just at a point where every time I see him play, I’m just appreciating it because he’s 40 years old. We’re not going to have this forever. To get to witness that every night is a treat.

Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report

A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.

After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.

On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.

However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.

“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”

Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade

Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.

Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.

Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss

“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”

Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.

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