Bill Daly comments on NHL potentially retiring Alex Ovechkin’s number 8 jersey: ‘We’ve only retired one number. That’s a rarity.’
Posted October 22, 2025
The NHL retired Wayne Gretzky’s number 99 jersey leaguewide on February 6, 2000, during the 1999-00 season’s NHL All-Star Game. Gretzky, who at the time was the league’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, is the only player in NHL history to receive the honor.
Gretzky lost one of those marks this past year, when Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin became the new all-time leading goal scorer, recording his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders on April 6. The Great One was on hand to personally congratulate Ovechkin and pass on the goal-scoring mantle to its new owner.
Given the incredible achievement and how iconic Ovechkin’s number 8 jersey has become, Championat’s Vladimir Laevsky recently asked NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly whether any thought was being given to having Ovechkin one day join Gretzky in the distinction of having his number retired leaguewide.
“We won’t consider retiring his number until Ovi himself announces his retirement plans,” Daly said as translated by Google Translate. “As you know, in the 107-year history of the league, we’ve only retired one number. That’s a rarity.”
Ovechkin, 40, is currently playing out the final year on his contract with the Capitals and has made no commitment to continuing his NHL career past this season. While the league probably won’t retire his number, Ovechkin’s number 8 will almost certainly never be worn by another Capital.
The legendary Russian winger could step away from the game tomorrow and leave DC as the team’s franchise leader in goals, points, power-play goals, even-strength goals, game-winning goals, playoff goals, shots, and hat tricks. He’s also the only captain of the Capitals to have led the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship, winning playoff MVP honors in 2018.
Over the summer, Ovechkin was asked in his native Russia if he had ever thought of the Capitals hoisting his number 8 to the rafters of Capital One Arena before. “Call Washington and find out about it,” Ovechkin replied.
The Capitals have not retired a number since 2008, when Mike Gartner’s number 11 was taken out of circulation.
NHL has no specific plans to celebrate Alex Ovechkin’s 900th goal
Alex Ovechkin is six games into the 2025-26 campaign and, after scoring his first goal of the season against the Minnesota Wild, is just two goals shy of becoming the first player in NHL history to reach 900 career goals.
While the NHL went all out to celebrate Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record last season, including pausing the April 6 game in New York for a ceremony much longer than seven minutes, the league reportedly has no specific plans to celebrate Ovechkin’s next big accolade.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly recently spoke to Championat’s Vladimir Laevsky about Ovechkin and the legendary winger’s importance to the NHL. During the conversation, Laevsky brought up the potential of another league-conducted ceremony.
Daly, while still recognizing Ovechkin’s greatness, left any celebration plans up to the Washington Capitals.
“Celebrations for such milestones are usually organized by the clubs, not the league,” Daly said, as translated via Google Translate. “We are usually invited to take part in the ceremony.
“Alex has been a world-class player in our league for 20 years now,” Daly added. “Equally important, he’s a fantastic ambassador for his beloved sport. The achievements Ovi has achieved in his career certainly put him on par with the NHL’s (most) outstanding players.”
Ovechkin will attempt to reach the 900 mark against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. While he has never had a multi-goal game against the Kraken, he did score in both games against them last season. In eight career games against Seattle, Ovechkin has recorded 11 points (5g, 6a).
The Great 8 is also just three games shy of becoming the 24th player in NHL history to play in 1,500 career games. He’s set to hit that mark against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
Aaron Rodgers Sparks Steelers Revival, But Experts Say: Don’t Bet on a Ring
Considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, current Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers has just one Super Bowl ring to his name. But he hopes to change that this season.
Then again, Rodgers hoped to change that many times during his years with the Green Bay Packers after winning his first title back in 2010. Instead, he and the Packers reached the NFC Championship Game four times but never made it back to the Super Bowl.
Rodgers also hoped to finally break the long-standing curse hanging over the New York Jets. But just a few snaps into his first game, he tore his Achilles tendon. The following season, he returned, but the Jets could only muster a 5-12 record. General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh were fired midseason.
So, what’s different now for the 41-year-old Rodgers? Well, at least he’s far removed from the Jets—though still in the AFC—with the Steelers. And he’s off to his best start since leaving Green Bay, with Pittsburgh sitting at 4-2 and leading the AFC North.
But is this team really a Super Bowl contender? That’s been said before about a lot of Rodgers-led teams, including those with the Jets. Is it even a realistic expectation this time?
Steelers, Aaron Rodgers Could Be Just a Beneficial Relationship
The Steelers and Aaron Rodgers needed one another this season. That’s why head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan were so patient during the offseason, waiting on the quarterback as long as they did.
Pittsburgh has been in desperate pursuit of a reliable starting quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired in what feels like ages ago. Rodgers didn’t even sign with the team until June 10 — the first day of mandatory minicamp.
Likewise, Rodgers may have needed this swan song of a season to patch up what parts of his legacy were infected with the gang green of the Jets the past two years.
It’s for those reasons the Steelers and Rodgers entered into this mutualistic partnership. But winning a Super Bowl, as The Athletic’s Jeff Howe writes, may be “unrealistic.”
“It feels unrealistic to expect a Super Bowl during Rodgers’ fling with the Steelers, however long it lasts. Would it be enough for both sides if Rodgers saves face after two forgettable seasons in New York, while the Steelers increase their competitiveness and bide their time before the next swing at QB?” Howe wrote.
“Perhaps expectations must remain flexible. For now, Rodgers and the Steelers have to feel at least intrigued about where they’re heading.”
Steelers Face Tough Schedule Ahead
Losing to AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7 was considered a huge upset on Pittsburgh’s part. Nevertheless, at 4-2, the season is still off to a promising start, and Rodgers looks comfortable behind center again.
“Rodgers can still spin it,” a rival team executive told The Athletic. “He can still win at the line of scrimmage. The mobility isn’t what it was, but the Steelers help him with the running game. They’re going to keep winning games. He’s exactly what they needed there. If they can keep him upright and healthy, they’ll continue to get better.”
The concerning part for Rodgers and the Steelers is that they’re about to enter one of the toughest stretches of the season over the next three weeks. In a reunion of sorts, Pittsburgh will welcome the Packers, giving Rodgers a chance to add beating every team in the NFL to his résumé. Then, in another home matchup, the Indianapolis Colts come to town, followed by a road trip to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
