Screen cap: RTVI
Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin expressed his intention to end his hockey playing career with Dynamo Moscow after his NHL career is complete. Ovechkin discussed his long range plans during a recent interview with Russian Television International (RTVI).
You may recall that Ovechkin is a former player of the blue and white. He left Dynamo Moscow in 2005 to play in the NHL and returned for one season during the NHL lockout season (2012/2013).
“There are certain goals that I want to achieve after my career. But my career is not over yet. I’m still in my prime. 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.”
The interviewer asked if Ovechkin was kidding.
“No. I really want to come back and end my career at Dynamo Moscow. After a certain number of years that I will spend, God willing, in Washington.”
Ovechkin, who is in his final year of his current deal with the Capitals, also shed some light on his next potential contract with the Capitals. He was also asked what if he was offered more money from another team.
“It’s not a question of money. It’s a matter of principle: I played for only two teams – Dynamo and Washington. It is clear, in two, three, four years, maybe five, I will end my career in Washington. I want to end on a beautiful note – to play the last match for Moscow Dynamo,” said Ovechkin.
Когда и где Александр Овечкин, один из самых известных мировых хоккеистов, завершит свою звездную карьеру?
Ответ на этот и многие другие вопросы — уже завтра в 19:00 в новом выпуске «Специального гостя» с Тиной Канделаки! pic.twitter.com/OsEv9EiZ84
— RTVI (@RTVi) November 4, 2020
To be clear, in no way did Ovechkin intimate that Dynamo Moscow was an option he was considering in lieu of re-signing with the Capitals. Ovechkin was clear that his goal was to play for Dynamo following his playing career with the Capitals, “in two, three, four, maybe five years.”
Ovechkin, who is home in Moscow during the fall months for the first time in many years, has been spending time at Dynamo Moscow’s practices in recent days, and also attended a game with his family this past weekend.
[Above, Alex Ovechkin skates with Dynamo Moscow players during a practice on October 27. Below, Alex, wife Nastya and son Sergei take in a Dynamo Moscow game this past Sunday in Moscow]
By Jon Sorensen
IF he signs a new contract with the Caps I bet is only for 4 years as that is what is left on Backstroms contract. I know that the Caps need the dollars that Ovie brings in but maybe now is the time to let him go, after this season, and start a rebuild. If they are just keeping him to break Gretzkys record, I am wondering if that will happen. Due to various work stoppages he will have missed close to 2 full seasons and he is now 188 goals behind to tiw and 189 to pass. That comes out to 47/48 goals a year ovr the next 4 years to pass and this coming year will not have 82 games. Its sad that without the virus he would have had a chance. So maybe letting him go in the expansion draft would be a good idea as that way he might have a chance as he would be their #1 scoring option all the time.
Agreed, Druid. Four years seems like the ideal term for Ovi.
Pingback: NHL Rumors: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals
Pingback: Washington Capitals Won't Be Alex Oveckin's Final Team Says NHL Star
Pingback: NHL Rumors: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals - Hockey News Hubb
Pingback: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals - THE WORLD SPORTS TODAY
Pingback: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals | Sport News 247
Pingback: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals - newsmaxsport.com
Pingback: NHL Rumors: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals - Hockey 247
Jeez wish I could remember the name of the guy who was talking about Swedish players returning home after NHL career to play with thier club teams…hum kind of prophet about players from overseas doing this….,just can’t remember his name???….. Huum….
Pingback: Alex Ovechkin Clears Up Confusion About Leaving Washington Capitals
Pingback: NHL Rumors: Islanders, Blue Jackets, Ovechkin Not Retiring With Capitals - Hockey Daily News