There will come a day when the NHL's all-time greatest goal scorer will hang up his skates for the last time.
Understandably, the decision to retire won't be an easy one for Alexander Ovechkin. But the Washington Capitals captain says he wants to still be in good shape when he does stop playing.
"How my body is going to feel. Right now hockey is so hard, like it's so fast," Ovechkin said in an interview with former teammate T.J Oshie for ESPN when asked what factors will contribute to his decision to retire.
His health concerns are understandable, especially considering he's now 40 and coming off one of the most serious injuries of his career last season.
Ovechkin fractured his left fibula on Nov. 18, 2024 against the Utah Hockey Club and missed 16 games.
The break was a scary obstacle that nearly derailed his case for the NHL's all-time goals record.
Despite his recent historic success, Ovechkin is still feeling the burden of his age and health. He is one of only four active NHL players age 40 or above.
"It is hard to keep up with the young legs. And you know, the most important thing is health-wise," he said. "I don't want to play hockey and then after one, two, or three years my knee, or my elbow, or my back is going to be hurting and then I'm just not going to feel comfortable for the rest of my life."
Ovechkin, who will turn 41 before play starts up again next fall, is in his 21st NHL season after he was drafted as the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft.
The Capitals star has 24 goals in 64 games played this season, and has 921 goals in his 1,555 career games.
For The Great 8, the retirement decision won't come easy.
"I have to be smart about it," he said.
