Alex Ovechkin isn't done lighting up the NHL just yet, but the superstar recently confirmed he hopes to end his playing career in his hometown of Moscow.
"My career is not over yet. I'm still in my prime," Ovechkin told Russian Television International, as translated by Sportsnet. "I think I will definitely play for a few more years, God grant that my health is good. I would finish in Russia at Dynamo Moscow."
Ovechkin, 35, is fresh off posting 48 goals and 67 points this past regular season. The gargantuan 13-year contract he signed in 2008 is set to expire after the 2020-21 campaign, which would make him an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
However, Ovi assured he wants to finish his NHL career with the Washington Capitals.
"It's not a question of money. It's a matter of principle," he said. "I played for only two teams - Dynamo and Washington."
He added, "It is clear, in two, three, four years, maybe five, I will end my career in Washington," Ovechkin said. "I want to end on a beautiful note - to play my last match for Dynamo Moscow."
The nine-time "Rocket" Richard winner became the eighth player in NHL history to reach 700 career goals, finishing the campaign with 706. Ovechkin is currently 188 behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894; if he does end up playing five more NHL seasons, he'd need to average 38 tallies to finish atop the list.
Ovechkin spent four seasons with Dynamo before bursting onto the NHL scene in 2005-06. He also played there during the lockout stoppage in 2012.
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