Alex Ovechkin may turn 41 before the Washington Capitals begin their new season, but longtime rival Sidney Crosby isn’t ready to count out the NHL’s greatest goal-scorer.
Crosby was asked about the Capitals’ ageless wonder and whether Ovechkin could put together another big year at an age when virtually every NHL player has already retired or become a shell of their former self. Crosby pointed to the one weapon Ovechkin has that remained remarkably resistant to aging.
“His shot is his shot, and that’s not going anywhere,” Crosby said at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Las Vegas.
Crosby has plenty of recent evidence to support his case. Even as Ovechkin has moved into his 40s, his ability to create and finish scoring chances has remained remarkably intact.
While his skating metrics are beginning to show signs of age, Ovechkin’s shot remains among the NHL’s most elite. According to NHL Edge data, his hardest shot last season reached 97.3 mph, ranking in the 99th percentile league-wide, while his average shot speed ranked in the 94th percentile. He also remained among the NHL’s best in both shot volume and scoring from mid- and long range.
“How many goals did he have last year?” Crosby said. “He knows how to score goals. You don’t lose that.”
Ovechkin lit the lamp 32 times for a Capitals team that struggled last season and missed the playoffs. While his offensive numbers have slowed somewhat in the twilight of his career, Ovechkin still remains one of the most dangerous scorers in the NHL.
Alex Ovechkin’s production over the last 5 seasons
| Age | Season | Games | Goals | Goals/Game | Shots | Shots/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 2021-22 | 77 | 50 | 0.65 | 334 | 4.34 |
| 37 | 2022-23 | 73 | 42 | 0.58 | 294 | 4.03 |
| 38 | 2023-24 | 79 | 31 | 0.39 | 272 | 3.44 |
| 39 | 2024-25 | 65 | 44 | 0.68 | 237 | 3.65 |
| 40 | 2025-26 | 82 | 32 | 0.39 | 244 | 2.98 |
Ovechkin was one of just 45 players to score 30 goals or more during the 2025-26 campaign, and was the only one over age 36 to do so. He also became just the fourth-ever NHL player to hit the 30-goal threshold in his 40s.
Players who have scored 30-or-more goals at age 40 or older
| Player | Age | Season | Team | Goals | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | 40 | 1968-69 | Detroit Red Wings | 44 | 77 |
| Johnny Bucyk | 40 | 1975-76 | Boston Bruins | 36 | 77 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 40 | 2025-26 | Washington Capitals | 32 | 82 |
| Teemu Selanne | 40 | 2010-11 | Anaheim Ducks | 31 | 73 |
| Gordie Howe | 41 | 1969-70 | Detroit Red Wings | 31 | 76 |
Few players can better appreciate what Ovechkin has done in his career than Crosby, who turned 39 last month. The pair entered the NHL together during the 2005-06 season and have spent more than two decades battling each other for Stanley Cups, individual trophies, and scoring titles. Ovechkin and Crosby remain the faces of their respective franchises and defined a generation of the sport.
As both stars near the end of their careers, they’ve become friends and texting buddies. The weight of their shared history has loomed large in recent years, like when they played their 100th game against each other on April 12, a game that seemed like it could have been their last. At that point, Ovechkin had not committed to playing another season and was an unrestricted free agent heading into July.
Crosby had Penguins players gather for a handshake line to thank Ovechkin for his contributions to the sport, but Ovechkin waived them off.
“I had no idea (if he was coming back) at that point, so in my head, I was preparing like, ‘Oh, this could be the last time,’” Crosby later said of the moment. “If it was the case, you’re going to try to enjoy it. If it’s not, it’ll be great to see him back playing again. I wasn’t sure.”
The two did exchange jerseys and sticks after the game, along with Evgeni Malkin.
Now the pair of superstars, if injury does not interfere, will play against each other four more times during the regular season. And if we’re lucky, one more playoff series.
