​Alex Ovechkin is not looking too far ahead despite already rewriting the NHL record book.The Washington Capitals captain has said that reaching 1,000 regular-season goals depends on factors he cannot fully control as he prepares for his 22nd NHL season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking to Match TV’s All on Match, Ovechkin was asked whether he wants to become the first player to score 1,000 regular-season goals. His response reflected both optimism and realism.“We’ll try,” Ovechkin said (translated from Russian). “Everything will depend on my desire and health. Time will tell. It gets harder and harder with each passing year.”The 40-year-old enters the 2026-27 season with 929 regular-season goals, already the NHL’s all-time leader in that category. He recently signed a one-year extension with Washington, giving himself another opportunity to push the record even further.MORE: Canadiens’ true stance emerges after Anthony Mantha joins DevilsWhile individual milestones continue to follow him, Ovechkin made it clear they are not driving his final seasons. Winning another championship remains his priority after lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“A team sport doesn’t depend on just one player, and Washington was a united force in 2018,” Ovechkin said. “I want to win the trophy again. That desire outweighs the possibility of breaking another Gretzky record.”His comments come after reaching another historic milestone. Ovechkin now owns 1,006 combined regular-season and playoff goals, leaving him just 10 behind Wayne Gretzky’s combined total of 1,016.Ovechkin’s outlook reflects why he has remained productive into his 40s. Rather than chasing numbers, he continues to measure success by team achievements. That mindset often helps veteran stars avoid forcing offense at the expense of the group.Washington has strengthened its roster during the offseason by adding experienced contributors around its captain. Those moves suggest the organization shares Ovechkin’s belief that another Stanley Cup run remains possible.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Steve Yzerman opens up after stepping down as Red Wings GMIf good health follows, more records will likely fall. Yet Ovechkin’s own words make one point clear. The chase for 1,000 regular-season goals matters, but another championship would mean even more to one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers.