Capitals' Alex Ovechkin won’t make decision on NHL future until the off-season

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin won’t make decision on NHL future until the off-season originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The NHL could see undoubtedly one of the greatest players to play in the NHL, and the record holder for the most regular season goals of all time, retire at the end of the season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is 40 years old, and there’s plenty he has to consider when discussing his future in the NHL. The Capitals shared a snippet of an interview Ovechkin had with broadcaster John Walton , in which he said he has not yet decided what’s next and will not announce anything until the summer. “We’re gonna make the decision in the summer,” Ovechkin told Walton.

“I have to talk to my family, Ted (Leonsis), (Chris Patrick), (Brian MacLellan), and will make the decision in the summer. ” Ovechkin is nearing the end of his 21st season in the NHL, having played 1,569 games, scoring 928 goals and 1,684 points. In the playoffs, the ‘Great 8’ also scored 77 goals and 147 assists in 161 games, giving him 1,005 total goals, just 11 goals back of Wayne Gretzky’s 1,016 regular season and playoff goals combined record.

MORE : Alex Ovechkin Closes In On Wayne Gretzky's Goal Record After Scoring His 1,000th Career NHL Regular Season And Playoff Goal In addition to discussing what’s best for his family, Ovechkin is strongly considering his health. He’s been healthy this season, scoring 31 goals and 61 points in all 78 games, but Ovechkin has played a physical brand of hockey throughout his career, and there’s always a fear it can catch up to him in a hurry. “I’m gonna be 41 years old in September, so just have to be smart about it,” Ovechkin said.