Photo: Alex Ovechkin/Twitter
Over the past few weeks, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has received significant backlash in the wake of his native Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for keeping the profile picture of he and Russian President Vladimir Putin on his official Instagram account. However, a new report offers insight into why the 36-year old has not removed the photo, despite the criticism.
According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan (listen to the full podcast HERE) the Capitals asked Ovechkin to remove the photo from his Instagram profile and/or deactivate his Instagram account. However, the 2004 first overall pick declined each time, citing fear for his family’s safety if he were to do so. Listen below:
On #ESPNDaily, @emilymkaplan reports that the Capitals have asked Alex Ovechkin to *take Vladimir Putin out of his Instagram profile photo and/or deactivate his IG account.*
But Ovechkin declined, citing fear for the safety of his family in Russia.
🎧➡️ https://t.co/T0Q23uTRbf pic.twitter.com/cdEeNbmLrV
— Pablo Torre (@PabloTorre) March 11, 2022
Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya Ovechkina, and sons Sergei (3) and Ilya (1), as well as his parents Mikhail and Tatyana, are currently in Russia. Ovechkin’s past endorsement of and relationship with Putin, and his high profile status in Russia have led to a challenging few weeks for the Capitals’ franchise player. Ovechkin spoke to the media regarding the Russian invasion, calling for “no war”, but has still faced pressure from “all sides”, according to General Manager Brian MacLellan.
The Capitals and other teams around the National Hockey League have increased security for players in the wake of world events, and many sponsors and companies have pulled marketing of their products using Russian players, and international competitions have banned Russia from participating.
According to Kaplan, one Russian player described their situation as “impossible”, and revealed there are concerns regarding visas for Russian players going forward and the impact the invasion may have on potential Russian players in the NHL Entry Draft. The Capitals, and NHL have condemned the actions of Russia, while voicing their support for their Russian players.
By Michael Fleetwood
I would say duhhhhhh, but a lot of people just don’t want to hear it (or anything they don’t like). I assume I have no real idea what he’s feeling right now and I just hope the day will come when he feels he can speak freely and tell his side. For today, he needs to walk a line and put his family first.
Well said, Ernie. (PS. Good to see you are still alive 😁)
He could tell us how it cam to pass that in January he sent his wife and his kids and his parents to Moscow, and when they are scheduled to return to Washington.
Ovechkin is either in on all Putin is doing, or he’s one stupid pawn.
Hey, Ovechkin voluntarily went out of his way to offer to Putin that he would help his campaign in 2017 with a social media program starring Ovechkin. You don’t get to deliberately sink your feet into well-known horse manure, and then call “mulligan” after wards. You make your bed; you lie in it.
Rather weird that Ovechkin’s hockey play has not suffered at all through all this. still racking up goals and celebrations and wins. I’d be skeptical about jist how much a “victim” Ovechkin is.
We’ll note his wife’s father is a mini-oligarch, and maybe Ovechkin was promised one himself upon retiring.
Omg how stupid you are
Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t fix stupid, we will just ignore it.
Ovechkin supports a war criminal
He’s a gutless coward.
OK, since you must have a gut, go stand in front of the net and let him take a few shots.
Or just go back to your basement. You are not a real hockey fan.
It’s clear that you are uneducated person who talks like a tough guy but is the first person to say or do nothing to the people directly. Too simplify things for you on a grade 2 level so that you can maybe comprehend some of what I am posting. Personally, I did not read an article regarding this that being said, I’m pretty sure Alex Ovechkin in 2017 according to you would have published something stating that he backs up the idea that back up the allegations I’ve read from the very post above was that he refused to take down a photo that had Putin in it before the fear of his wife and children, and if that doesn’t make sense to you, then you are obviously living in a country, where fear from your government from a picture could constitute in death of his family, Just like in World War II Regardless, if you share the same beliefs, as at all Hitler, you wouldn’t question comment or disagree as walking past the picture of him without acknowledging it you would be put to death. With all of this now post something of an article that Ovechkin has posted that directly indicates him stating for the record, he agrees With Putin and promotes war, an NHL hockey player with the wife, kids family just like most of the people in the world only differences his life is public and there’s always people like yourself that will criticize to make yourself feel better.
He should be banned from playing for the Caps while he is sporting Adolf Hitler, I mean Putin, picture.
His family is in no danger. Putin loves him and he loves Putin.
he should go home and support his family from Russia… NOT HERE
The bulk of his goals now are into empty nets. He is getting preferential ice time.
Wayne is in first place in ENG with 56.
I understand the fear for his family’s safety is real. I understand he’s choosing to put his family first and many of us if not all would do the same.
That being said, there’s a price for supporting the Russian government whether it’s proactively or complicitly, and that is sanctions and divestment. The Washington capitals need to bench Ovechkin until he can distance himself from Putin. If he can’t do that he can’t play in the NFL.
Please.. he is a Putin cheerleader. He has already made his side quite clear over the years. I guess duhhhh is something you say quite a bit.
He has enough money to get every one of his family out of Russia, yet he refuses to do that and still supports Putin. He is a piece of garbage.
I guess you know all this because you discussed it with him? You and he discussed his family’s situation? And he told you that he still supports Putin?
He should not be playing in such a secure environment when he supports the pillaging of Ukraine by his friend Putin.
Who the hell would live in Russia when they could live in the United States.
Russians.
Such a tough spot for Ovi and everyone involved. I’m sure he never envisioned this when a president asked for his support.
I’m sure he never envisioned this when a p̶r̶e̶s̶i̶d̶e̶n̶t murderous dictator asked for his support.
He created the putlerTeam in 2017 – after Georgia, Crimea and Donbass, what else did he need to envision?
Excellent point. Ovechkin is a low life piece of garbage.
Envious are you?
A lot of people speaking out against Ovi had issues with him before this month. Xenophobics or don’t want their sacred goals record leaving Canada. He m sure Ovi is more determined than ever.
Unfortunately not determined to stand up to war or to a despot.
Not everything is about the goal record.
Suck harder.
In a rational world, we wouldn’t need to read all the details. We would have heard or read his statement and that would be enough. Alas, we are no longer rational.
There is a lot of totally unnecessary pressure being put on ordinary Russians who had and have absolutely no say in what Putin does or does not do. Families are separated because planes aren’t flying. Already Russians had to get US visas somewhere other than Russia. Can they get “somewhere” any more? Russians playing here get salaries here but have financial obligations here and back in Russia. But right now, they can’t move their money. Some are really just kids away from their friends and families. Others have kids in US schools. If we chase them away to make us feel good, will any of them want to come back?
Mr Ovechkin has vocals supported war against Ukraine. He is complicit to the murder of Ukranian people. He thinks it’s just fine as long as Putin tells him so. These are facts. Easily found. 8f these facts did not exist then he would deserve fair and just treatment as well as the understanding that he should not be asked to put his family at risk. However, he is fine with the murdering of Ukrainian children and mother’s. Its all part of team Putin. He chose his team, he loudly supported his choice. Now we are supposed to feel sorry for him? Not me pal. I feel sorry for the dead children in Ukraine that he and his hero Putin take pride in
You obviously haven’t been paying attention. He’s stated the exact opposite. Maybe you should dedicate some time to research the word Xenophobia, and reflect why you suffer from it.
Listen to what Ovechkin said!
He hopes the war is over soon. In other words, he hopes that the Ukranian citizens give up their free society soon!
He did’t say he wished the war had not started.
Then he says Putin is his President. As if to say, whatever his President decides is ok with him!
Dominik Hasek was absolutely correct! Putin has always been what he is.
Ovechkin indicated he was proud to be involved with PutinTeam!
Putin is doing what he is doing and Oveckin has his arm around him, while having his direct phone number. Ovechkin must be so proud of his President and country!
Ovechkin could be informing brainwashed Russian Society.
As Ukranian and Russian people die for no reason Ovechkin is laughing, while he makes Millions of $ playing a game!
What a joke.
For that reason I have no respect for the NHL.
Hopefully the UN acts appropriately.
You are trying to spin every sentence. It’s obvious you have an issue with Ovi before this. This your comment is useless.
Lick, lick..slurp
are you ok ?
Ovi started Team Putin! Ovi has been one of Putin’s most vocal ambassadors. So there are no excuses for Ovechkin, he chose to be on his evil dictator’s side years ago. Ovi’s US bank accounts should be frozen and he should be expelled from the US.
You just proved yourself wrong. Putin asked him to support his election BEFORE the invasion. You obviously didn’t listen to his press conference as well, where he condemned the war.
I watched the presser. I am not a hockey fan. I watched it out of curiosity so I have no bias here. Ovecbkin did not condemn the war. He said he wanted peace. He said Putin is his president. He danced around the rest of the questions. Of course everyone wants peace. But he did not outright condemn THIS war and Putins actions. ‘Peace’ in this instance is the end of the war, regardless of outcome. He was definitely either heavily protecting his family, and/or he supports the Putin regime.
As a person who watches ovies career and his actions, he loves everybody he just loves playing the game. He went to go see the president after he won the Stanley cup being Trump. he likes to be in the spotlight. But more importantly just like Michael Jordan got brutalized for not supporting a black candidate because he wasn’t political that’s what I can say for ovechkin. He’s not a politician. If my family was stuck in Russia I would have said the same exact thing I hope the war is over with soon and everybody can be at peace I’m sure Ovie doesn’t want to see the murder of a bunch of people. And the way he addressed it was the safest way to address it. If he would have said anything else about stopping the war, or Putin is wrong…well that’s means to go after his family. this ain’t America where you can get away with that s***.. the only knock I have against him is his family being in Russia right now in the first place..
Keep on licking
Judging from him being a founding member of PutinTeam, the latter for sure.
Says someone with their head firmly up their posterior. How’s the view?
A lot of families are separated because planes ARE flying – loaded with bombs
Families ARE separated because planes ARE flying loaded with bombs
Hope not…
Ovi is a hockey player, not a politician. Leave him alone
Team Putin says otherwise.
Ovi is Team Putin’s founding member and one of the most vocal ambassador for Putin. He chose to be on the dictator’s side long time ago.
Ovechkin could help to end this war by shouting from the rooftops that Putin is a sociopath killer. Ovi has millions of Russian fans who would listen. But no, Ovi chose the side of an evil dictator.
And there is no such thing that “just a hockey player” when we are talking about murdering of thousands of people and driving millions out of their country.
This reads like one of the smarter bots I’ve ever seen
Can’t say the same for your pointless comment.
change your name for Butthurts
exactly what im saying. Even if he doesnt choose a side who cares.
Because he already took a side. He has been pro-Putin for a long time…see the instagram photo if you’re curious.
Putin didn’t become a bad dude overnight. Ovy has supported this horrible guy while he has been horrible for years. He took a stand and its a bad one. You can disagree and still watch him play hockey but don’t fall for this nonsense. Ovy is a bad guy by association.
So says a boot licker of a boot licker
Confess I had assumed that Ovi’s wife would return to the DC area once Ovi was safely out of Covid protocol as that’s why she had returned to Russia. She had originally planned to go to the All Star game in Vegas but then Ovi tested positive for Covid which nixed the whole thing.
But then she never did return so wondering what’s going on. And then the internatinoal situation deteriorated. I’m sure Ovi’s lonely without his wife. And also more worried due to the international situation.
Boo F@#&(ing Hoo
Steve Michaela is a perfect example of what’s wrong with America.
There are no IQ requirements to get on the internet…unfortunately.
No iq requirements required to enter college either. Eventually no sat scores either. Today’s ba majors have iqs below 80.
Is that your excuse?
Who’s that?
You want to get personal with me? Because I will defend myself, to the death. Period.
shut up you sound like a dumbass
John, shut up you sound like a dumbass!
S̶t̶e̶v̶e̶ ̶M̶i̶c̶h̶a̶e̶l̶a Dan is a perfect example of what’s wrong with America.
Fixed it.
I would assume he’s got enough money and leverage to get his family out of Russia if he truly feared for their safety. It would be nice to see Russia’s highest profile pro athlete speak against the murdering of innocent Ukrainians. He’s someone who’s voice might actually be heard and have an impact.
Freeze Ovi’s bank account and send him back to Russia. This coming from a Caps fan that until two weeks ago was rooting for him for last 15 years, hoped he’d break 99’s record and die a Cap. Hell, I own the stick he used in Game 3 of the SCF the year we hoisted. I was at his 21st birthday party. There isn’t a bigger Ovi fan than me. But this is different. He’s not ‘just a hockey player’. He aligned himself very vocally and visibly with Putin. He’s the most famous Russian athlete alive. He has influence. His words have power. And I’ve met him, he speaks perfect English…there is no lost in translation here. If Putin stuck to his own corner of the world and just fucked up Russia, I wouldn’t care as much about Ovi’s love for Putin. But Putin is committing genocide daily. I don’t give AF about Ovi’s goal tally anymore. Some things are bigger than hockey. Putin is a war criminal. His buddies should be treated as enablers. No mercy. Democracy is at stake. Bye Ovi. Leave your millions at the door on the way out. Uncle Ted…do the right thing here pal.
You’re placing way too much blame (and responsibility) on someone who has no saw or control of the situation. He voiced support for Putin during his election run years ago. Has nothing to do with recent events. Listen to his press conference. Hate to lose a fellow fan, but….adios!
I did. He punted. You don’t think I watched his presser dude? I get Ovi isn’t in the Kremlin calling in air strikes but he is chicken shit. He has means. If he was really concerned about his family, he could get them out of Russia. Don’t buy that BS. He’s worried about hurting his buddy’s feelings. Should I remind you Ovi is the captain of the team? Talk about leadership. Let’s think about the optics of this…while many huge American corporations (worth a lot more than the CAPS and NHL) are supporting US sanctions on Russia and pulling out of / severing ties with Russia, the Caps and the NHL are allowing the CAPTAIN of the Washington Capitals, who play in Washington DC, a mile from the US Capitol … the symbol of Democracy to the world … a proud Russian who has voiced support, campaigned for and still supports ‘my President’ Vladimir Putin, a war criminal, a man who tried to intervene in our elections twice, who has invaded a sovereign country for no reason other than ego and nostalgia, continues to be paid millions of dollars to play A GAME while ‘his president’ murders innocent civilians ON PURPOSE. This isn’t fog of war collateral damage…Putin is intentionally targeting hospitals, retirement homes, schools. Shooting at fucking nuclear plants! Ovi needs to go home and support his president from his couch in Moscow. Maybe he comes back when this is over. If this ends without a mushroom cloud.
The NHL is an embarrassment. They should send all Russian players home. If we’re not going to send troops, the least we can do is send these folks home. They are not American citizens. They do not have a RIGHT to stay! Revoke all Russian visas yesterday. They do not deserve to sleep in their beds in their luxury homes while their president is forcing millions of refugees into the freezing cold to flee their homes. Think this is unfair? Tough shit, grow a pair.
Gary Bettman is a joke. He needs to be fired next. Isolate the fuck out of Russia. Let them see the consequences for Putin’s actions and maybe her people will rise up and take their country back. Letting Ovi continue to play right now, sleep in a warm bed in his mansion without fear of the roof coming down on top of his head is not the right look for the home team for democracy. Ovi going home sends a message AND prevents him from having to speak out against his president. Win win. The Caps aren’t making the post season again for a while anyway so who cares dude. Ovi doesn’t get to chase Gretzky in the safety and freedom of America while his countrymen use chemical weapons on women and children (just wait). Like I said. This is bigger than hockey. I’m sure once someone puts two in the back of Putin’s head, Ovi will come out with some statement about how he didn’t really support him blah blah blah…it’ll be too late. This breaks my heart.
Nothing than worse than a moron on a soap box made of straw. Be careful you don’t drop your pitch fork and torch, you might go up in flames.
What’s your excuse for going through life stupid, selfish and proud of it??
as a caps fan myself I would like to see how brave you are with your family stuck in Russia and this ain’t America this is Russia you’re talking about… And if you followed ovie career you know that he seems to love everybody and doesn’t matter where you’re from leave him out of it, he’s not a politician he just wants to play the game ….
Slurp
You mean the fixed election of a dictator. “Hate to lose a fellow fan, but….adios!” Maybe he has principles as opposed to your vacuous stance.
Your ignorance is showing. There is literally nothing Ovi can do to end this war. Period. But there’s a million things he can do to risk his families safety. The fact that you think he should sacrifice his family’s welfare to appease fans ignorance is staggeringly arrogant.
Slurp, slurp…burp.
IMO In return for the privilege to live and work in a free and peaceful country, he should use his influence and call for peace. If he is afraid to do this then he shouldn’t be allowed to stay in the U.S. His choice. Agree. freeze his accounts and he should be suspended and sent back to Russia. PRO-Putin Russians should be living in Russia right now. NHL and the US Government should be imposing this.
He won’t deactivate his instagram account or change his photo for fear of putting his family in danger while Ukrainian people are being murdered and tortured. This is not OK.
What about all the thousands crossing our southern border every day. Are we giving them a loyalty test? Heck, we’re not even testing them for covid.
What about all the Afghan refugees? Federal government has admitted that many were not even vetted before being flown here.
Anyone born in the United States or its territories acquires automatic US citizenship, according to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Even children born in the US to non-resident foreigners on vacation acquire US citizenship by birth, even if they are also citizens of their parents’ home country. Ovi’s kids are US citizens. They cannot petition a green card for Ovi until they turn 21. But they do not need a visa to come here. In fact, they cannot be issued a visa since they are US citizens. We cannot deny them entrance.
It is poor form to deny visas to parents of US citizens when the parents were here legally when the children were vorn.
Other Russians have lost their careers for supporting Putin less then Ovie. Don’t think nhl wants one of putins strongest supporters getting so much publicity in the playoffs let alone winning the cup. I see cap fans crying about the refs when they get eliminated. Said fans this time will have a legitimate beef.
So, some of you want to call out a Russian hockey player for an invasion he had nothing to do with and doesn’t support. Why weren’t you calling out American hockey players, or other American athletes, when our own psychopath (Trump) was attempting to overthrow our democracy? Innocent people died on January 6th and yet I heard no one calling for T J Oshie, John Carlson, Peyton Manning, Lebron James, to name just a few, to speak out against Trump and what he was encouraging his sheep to do. Give me a break, especially all of you who hide behind your computer screens and have probably never put yourselves on the line for anything. Stop encouraging the harassment of one athlete who’s shoes you have not walked in. I can’t help but wonder if this was a guy with the last name Crosby would you be reacting the same way.
+1 👍
More like -1 …IQ
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Another idiot.
Lots of people did call out athletes to speak out against Trump though.
Also, while it was clearly wrong to invade the capitol building – Putin has invaded an entire country. Loss of life in Ukraine is 10x to 100x times what happened at the capitol and that’s EVERY day. In other words, the stakes are higher.
At the same time I can sympathize with Ovechkin to an extent. I don’t expect him to speak out at this point because he has family in Russia. But since when did removing a profile picture equal the same thing as making a direct statement about the war?
Maybe Ovechkin is already on Putin’s radar after saying he didn’t want war so he has to be super careful.
It goes to show how important free speech really is. Of course I don’t believe in absolute free speech without exception, but when someone’s ability to criticize the government is taken away – that’s a huge violation of human rights.
Putin has reminded us what actual prohibition of free speech is. Unfortunately this has been going on for some time in Russia and has led to this point.
Taking down his instagram account; removing a profile picture. Sure that is a bridge too far for a supporter of a murderous tyrant.
The American and Canadian governments can revoke work permits for all Russian citizens in their countries. They can also revoke student visas.
Bettman will not have the ability to unilaterally remove Russians from the NHL. However, governments can revoke work permits and student visas.
Ovechkin knows full well who he is supporting.
I am also assuming that there’s a funny story with the ownership of the Brooklyn Nets, but it is not being discussed by anyone.
To be fair to Ovie he did say no more war. That statement alone could get him in trouble with Putin. Ovie support of Putin was more about his support for Russia. He made a political mistake. He’s not the only one. See the suckers that voted for Biden. Lesson here is athletes shouldn’t be so political. Bad business too.
Sure, sure … vocal support of a known murderous dictator .. is a political mistake. Whereas voting for an actual smart, capable leader versus the worst person ever elected to public office is a mistake … in opposite world (aka the GQP, MAGAland)
An easy fix… SEND HIM BACK TO RUSSIA WHERE HE BELONGS. He’s sending his annual salary there anyway.
This guy has supported — and campaigned for — Comrade Putin on all anti-social media of his for years. You can’t praise your MURDERING & POISON-HAPPY DICTATOR ALL THIS TIME, THEN TELL US YOU’RE AFRAID FOR YOUR FAMILY IN THE USSR.
Send Ovechkin back home so he can lick his Hero’s ass from there.
You obviously have other issues. And he won’t be sent back to Russia, his kids are American citizens.
Says a non Cap fans who would cut off his arm to have the Great 8 on his team.
I’m sure if Trump had started a war, you’d be face deep into his anus. Blinded by ideology and the inability to adapt, i.e., “loyalty”, leads directly to what Putin is doing. America isn’t broken. The least qualified and easiest duped are asked to choose a leader every four years. A pathological liar once in office can quickly destroy a society once there’s a legion of unquestionable followers, regardless of the government (democratic or otherwise). Park your brain in neutral for a bit and think. It’s a challenge I know, but once there, the fog created by political influence from anyone begins to lift. Stop listening to politicians – they’re mostly attention whores – especially when they MUST be in the news constantly. A quiet politician knows when to speak and is wisest. Noisy ones are stupid and need attention. Now go suck your thumb.
That is the way to go. Ovi the great stands as a man.
This is a great response for the crazy and mad people in N/A
He could bring his family to the US! If not, then send him back!
Ya think? My goodness people seem to be losing basic common sense in 2022. The fact that he actually had to say this out loud is comical.
Not buying that excuse for Alexander Ovechkin.
There are tens of thousands civilians (children, women, disabled and elderly people) being target and getting killed and crippled for life for no other reason than the madness of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Most countries have sanctioned Putin and his band of brothers around the world and Ovechkin should be no different. Supporting someone the whole world is sanctioning to put pressure on to stop the bombing in Ukraine and stop the War. Supporting someone who face charges of war crimes. Putin is now making threats to Finland and Sweden. Who’s next?
I think it’s time for him to go home with the rest of his family and pretend there’s nothing going on there . He should be banned from hockey here.
Being Russian isn’t a crime. Thug Putin and his enablers should be the world’s ire. Do ya think he KNEW Putin would be a lying sack is $hit? Let’s stick to hockey Chumley. Better yet, do the whittling and save your energy for when the WORLD is dragged into war because of Putin.
The only good Russian is a dead Russian.
Ovechkin enjoys a very high lifestyle in the U.S., while continuing to support Putin and his invasion of Ukraine. Simply saying he hopes for peace does NOTHING to stop the unprovoked slaughter of Ukrainian civilians.
I URGE ALL FANS OF THE NHL TO BOYCOTT CAPITALS GAMES AS LONG AS OVECHKIN SUPPORTS HIS FRIEND, VLADIMER PUTIN, the most despised public figure in the world today.
Nope. You’re an ass. Stick to hockey.
Be a proud Russian Alex. You can now see the truth of the western world. May God bless you!
Plain and simple. If he is so worried for his family’s welfare, he should pack up and go home. He can fly to Poland and make his way home from there.
He’ll stop in Poland to play a few games in the PHL in exchange for a large yacht.
Ovechkin’s paycheck still goes home to Russia, it still supports Putkins Russia as Ovechin still does. Ovechkin must be OK with his family in Russia, his parents also while eating a American made lunch ( ours ).
I say get him off the ice, where we dont have to see him. His country and he himslf are a disgrace to every country man who died for freedom, justice, human rights, equality, womens rights. Ovechkin can not be allowed to slip under the publics view and judgement using a KGB veiled and spun story. He is Russian a wolf amoungst god fearing decent people. Dont be fooled. Turn off your NHL Hockey like I have. Washing Caps I will never watch again, I have cacelled my NHL subscription. Soccer and Football rock. The NHL has let us all down for ever. Good by Russkies for me.
Open discussion platform? More like NovaCrap.
Keep on tickling Ovie’s nads while you feed him grapes as he’s carried around like an Egyptian queen.
Novacrap removed my posts because they were too close to the truth, sated with appropriate but pointed comments.
Red rose petals for Ovie while the Ukrainians walk on black ones to their graves.
Shame!
One should understand, that russia is using everything to spread propaganda, incl. sport culture and education. They are forcing sportsmen in russia to support this brutal war … all russian sportsmen must publically say that they support Ukrain and democracy and that they are against the dictatorship in russia. Furthermore, they must say that Crimea and the rest of territories occupied by putins army belongs to Ukraine! If not, these sportsmen shall go back to russia and play there!
OK, so the implication is he wants to take down the photo now but can’t. So what? He thought Putin was a good guy before the last couple weeks? Ovy should be ashamed for shilling for this moron. And no, he wasn’t being forced to do it. There are plenty of prominent Russian athletes who just keep their heads down on this stuff.
Ovy showed who he is and got caught. And you guys want to apologize for him because he’s scoring goals. Enjoy your cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance?
A wonderfully appropriate phrase with some serious intellectual overtones.
Me like!
Spasiba!
If you haven’t lived in Russia you cannot understand the fear these people feel. I have lived there as an expat. These people know what will happen to their families. The fear they feel everyday is beyond our comprehension. They have to keep their friends and family safe because Putin won’t.
And there are braver people than Ovi who are protesting and going to jail because what they do to stand up to the evil in their country is more important than their career. In every nation when someone is evil there are those who stand up and do something, and those who complain that they might face repercussions. Ovi’s more worried about himself than using his influence to try to get more Russians at home to stand up to the evil.
Life’s decisions are so black and white, so easy and simple. Especially when the one having to live out your decisions is not you.
Other than some Cap fans nobody cares about his potential NHL scoring record. There is no one in Russia who can change people’s minds other than Ovechkin. He could be a hero for Ukraine and the world for his condemnation of Putin’s killing of innocent women and children and the next phase could be chemical weapons. Stand on the right side of history and do your part or forever have your reputation stained forever for your silence.
Really? Sorry Jiminy Cricket, hockey fans all over care about him and his potential scoring record. Fan sites all over the NHL, coaches, and players of all nationalities discuss it. If you were a real hockey fan, I would not have to tell you this.
I am a huge hockey fan, and you don’t speak for everyone. If you were a more exposed hockey fan you would know that there’s also a lot of hate for Ovi, and every goal he gets makes me sad he’s taking records away from other players I have more respect for. And I’m not alone. If every stick he touched from now on broke when took a shot, I’d hardly have a bad day in hockey from now on…until he retired. Then I’d be happier.
“more exposed hockey fan?”
I listen to opposing broadcasts, read opposing fan sites. And what I read is a lot of respect for Ovi.
I’m really sad that you are so filled with hate for someone who has done nothing to you nor anything to the people of Ukraine.
Nothing that Ovi can say will make a difference in Ukraine. Yes, nobody wants war, but if your asking him to renounce his country, he is never going to do it. And that is what is being asked. Did Putin start this war? Yes. However, it also could have been prevented with the amount of intelligence that the US has. I hope for humanities sake, this ends very, very soon.
You think someone could have prevented Putin from doing whatever he wanted to? Is your real last name Chamberlain?
The only way for this war to stop is for his “friends” to disavow him and stand for freedom and justice. He doesn’t have to renounce Russia, just Putin, but he is too gutless to do so. Ovechkin is a piece of shit!
“The only way for this war to end” Really? So the Ukrainians should just stop fighting? No one should send them military supplies? That’s all it takes?
The Ukrainians can fight all they want and will but the only person that can stop this war is Putin and as long as his friends stand behind him he has little real incentive to stop
“The politician I supported may hurt me or my family if I remove that support” is a sign you supported the wrong guy.
Ovechkin is a piece of shit! He has the money to get all his family out or\fRussia but refuses to do that. Putin will only cease his murderous war if his friends turn against him. Ovechkin will not do that. Screw Ovechkin and screw that Capitals as long as he is on the roster and a supporter of the butcher Putin.
Life’s decisions are so black and white, so easy and simple. Especially when the one having to live out your decisions is not you.
What a cowardly answer. Some decisions are black in white. Stand with justice, freedom, and life or cruelty, torture, and death. With Ukraine or with Putin – the Butcher of Bucha. Get a spine you low life piece garbage. Oh, and ask Ted if he has lost all semblance of the morality he was taught at Georgetown for keeping you on the Capitals roster.
Send me a postcard from the battlefield. I assume that you’re going to back up your words with some positive action and volunteer. Since you’re not a coward.
He needs to go home. men , woman and children are dying everyday at the hands of his president. His words , his president. Hockey is the greatest sport on earth but this is bigger than any sport or money. The NHL needs to step up and address this !!
And how is him going home going to help anyone?
Why does the NHL need to address this any more than what they already have?
And oh, by the way, how about the NBA and China?
He’s got enough money to get his family and friends out of Russia if he wants to.
The NBA is full of cowardly scum too.
Good luck, we love you, grow up U.S.A.
No we don’t love him, he is a low-life, slimy, piece of garbage, and always will be.
From a national article yesterday: On Wednesday night, Alex Ovechkin recorded his 50th goal of the season. It is his eighth 50-goal season, which ties the record for most in NHL history, along with Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky. But Ovechkin’s accomplishment is far more impressive than those two’s, and eight 50-goal seasons in any era is a nearly unfathomable feat. It’s not just walking with giants; it’s putting a down payment on a mansion on Olympus.
You’re envious.
Envious of a piece of garbage that has no moral compass, NOT!
Envious of a piece of garbage that has no moral compass that refuses to take down a photo with the most reviled and murderous man on earth, our present day Hitler, NOT.
I’m sorry that your life is so sad.
Wrong again. I have five kids and am quite happy. You are pathetic for supporting a real scum bag. Where is your morality? You have neither that or a trace of humanity. What a weasel.
Chants of “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!” reverberated throughout T-Mobile Arena as Alex Ovechkin celebrated yet another milestone on Wednesday night. It was as loud as it was unexpected, given the fact that Ovechkin, of course, was playing for the visiting team.
“He’s one of the most incredible talents probably of all time, Alec Martinez said. “People want to come watch him play. Honestly, it’s an honor to play against him.”
This shows just one thing. You can be the greatest hockey player and yet a bad person. I am not saying coward because it’s more complex than that. Ovi may believe the Russian propaganda or he may support Putins ambitions. Either way, great hockey player but a bad person.
Nope. He has done nothing to convince me he is a bad person. Has he sinned? Yes. All people sin. You sin. I sin. But that does not make us bad people.
The American and Canadian governments can revoke work permits for all Russian citizens in their countries. They can also revoke student visas.
Bettman will not have the ability to unilaterally remove Russians from the NHL. However, governments can revoke work permits and student visas.
Ovechkin knows full well who he is supporting.
I am also assuming that there’s a funny story with the ownership of the Brooklyn Nets, but it is not being discussed by anyone.
The NHL needs to take steps to extract Ovi from competition. Hopefully he will be eliminated but in no instance should there be an end result of a Russian born player being victorious in an American backed sport. Mainstream media has painted and portrayed this quarrel which has no effect on us at all other than being a former enemy of ours that our financial and military resources need go somewhere else other than USA and help fight there battle. If there is someone crazy enough to start WW3 its Putin. Once that starts we need to head underground bunkers and become survivalists cause democrats and republicans have both failed
Wow Scott, you really do have problems.
By the logic of some, we should have banned US players from the NHL for not condemning Bush’s invasion of Iraq in pursuit of the weapons of mass destruction that did not exist. One million dead Iraqis and thousands of US casualties happened over a lie. Putin needs to die, but until then, it is not safe for Russians anywhere to oppose him.
We are talking a sport called HOCKEY not people that didn’t like a president
Maybe it’s time not to have Russians players in the NHL period!
wow you people are all morons
Ovechkin (aka Putin ) will never surpass Gretzky in total points ..If you’re a real hockey fan you know that assists (playmaking ) are an important part of hockey as in Bobby Clarke…