- Alex Semin believes Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky’s combined goals record before retiring
- Ovechkin sits nine goals short of Gretzky’s 1,016 after a slow start to 2026-27
- Read below for Semin’s full comments on Ovechkin’s final season
Alex Semin thinks Alex Ovechkin finishes the job.
The former Capitals winger spoke with Match TV’s Pavel Lysenkov about Ovechkin’s decision to make 2026-27 his final NHL season, per RMNB. Semin said he expects Ovechkin to pass Wayne Gretzky’s combined regular-season and playoff goals record before he walks away.
Semin talked about whether the retirement news caught him off guard, and he made it clear it didn’t.
“I don’t think it was a secret to anyone,” Semin said, as translated by RMNB. “The question was whether he would play (this season) at all. But there’s still one more milestone left. I think he’ll break it and, so to speak, retire with a clear conscience.”
Ovechkin told his teammates on Oct. 5 that this season will be his last, and the Capitals shared the news that same day:
The milestone is Gretzky’s 1,016 combined goals. Ovechkin is at 1,007, nine short of a tie, but the start hasn’t been easy. He scored once in his first nine games, the slowest opening pace of his 22-year career, after a goalless stretch that Spencer Carbery brushed off.
Semin explained why he isn’t worried about the pace.
“Although with every goal it gets harder and harder,” Semin said. “Of course, we’re not getting any younger. But I think Sasha can handle this task. He’s used to such challenges. Everyone said it was impossible, but it turned out to be possible.”
Gretzky has already weighed in on Ovechkin’s final year himself, and Sidney Crosby has been open about what the rivalry means as it winds down:
Semin and Ovechkin played together in Washington for six seasons, from 2006 to 2012, as the two Russian speakers among the Capitals’ “Young Guns.” Semin scored 239 goals in 650 NHL games for the Capitals, Hurricanes and Canadiens and last played in the KHL in 2020-21.
He also sees a Capitals team with more help than it had a year ago. Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner joined the forward group over the summer, which lets Carbery lean on Ovechkin in the most favorable offensive spots.
Semin kept his own forecast modest, saying the season has barely started and that he wishes his old club luck in the playoffs. For Ovechkin, nine goals is the number to watch.
