Alex Ovechkin on 2018 Olympics: "I'm still going"

[Lexus]

Way to go Alex!

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[Willy Stylez]

Good ovi.

 

[Xokkeu]

Go Alex!

 

[JackSlater]

We will have to see how much of his comments are just bluster. It could be very interesting if the Capitals are not so hot next year and he just takes off.

 

[tony d]

Good for him, I got to wonder how many more NHLers will go.

 

[Bear12Good]

Big patriot for Russia.
But Russia with lousy coaching dont win anything !

 

[Bear12Good]

Good for him, I got to wonder how many more NHLers will go.

Only Russian nhlers

 

[Mickey Marner]

Washington's bye week next year will be during the month of February, by total coincidence.

 

[coyotechrisz]

maybe not.

Hockey Russia VP says Alex Ovechkin will not play for Olympic team without NHL agreement, suggests retiring from NHL

http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/

 

[ThaiTanicDK]

This is what a true patriot looks like. "Its my country!" - Wish more hockey players had this attitude.

 

[kabidjan18]

Good on him. He's not bluffing either, I firmly believe. The NHL will impose a penalty on players who leave but it likely won't be too harsh a penalty, agents and the PA are discussing this right now.

 

[QnebO]

Good on door. Can't blame him.

 

[patnyrnyg]

I don't think he is bluffing at all. Just not sure if he is aware of the legal hurdles that may be involved. His gut reaction right now be that he is going. But, if he is told he must retire from the NHL, well then that would be the real litmus test. He is signed through 2020-21, so we shall see.

 

[MXD]

I don't think he is bluffing at all. Just not sure if he is aware of the legal hurdles that may be involved. His gut reaction right now be that he is going. But, if he is told he must retire from the NHL, well then that would be the real litmus test. He is signed through 2020-21, so we shall see.

...Actually, the only way he could participate would be :
- Retire from the NHL (I think the NHL actually has to accept...)
- The NHL changing its mind.

 

[patnyrnyg]

...Actually, the only way he could participate would be :
- Retire from the NHL (I think the NHL actually has to accept...)
- The NHL changing its mind.

What are the rules if he wants to play in the KHL? In the IIHF's eyes, does he have to be granted some kind of release? Does the NHL have to approve it?

Obviously, Ovechkin is talented enough that he could retire, and simply train on his own and still play at an elite level in the Olympics.

 

[Jablkon]

...Actually, the only way he could participate would be :
- Retire from the NHL (I think the NHL actually has to accept...)
- The NHL changing its mind.

Can not he terminate contract with Caps and sign new one 20 days later for example....?

 

[AndrewTalksHockey]

Ovi has said this for years and i dont think hes bluffing. Playing for his country means alot to not only him, but for a number of guys in the league. I think come 2018 the NHLs guna lose out when players leave with Ovi leading the way.

Side note, it's totally cool for the NHL can have some World Cup tho? Which has the same risks for players getting injured or w.e else? Ahhh nvm I get it. The NHL doesn't make enough money when the Olympics take place.

Just speculating...but there's another league overseas chomping at the bit for guys like him? For what it do for their league, i don't think they'd mind olympic participation.

NHLs guna feel some backlash from this is. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Atas2000]

Can not he terminate contract with Caps and sign new one 20 days later for example....?

No, he can't.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

At least he'll have a chance at a medal this time if he goes.

 

[Nino33]

Just speculating...but there's another league overseas chomping at the bit for guys like him? For what it do for their league, i don't think they'd mind olympic participation.

You mean the KHL?
The League (even increasing salaries by 45% due to "no taxes in Russia") where less than 10 players make the average NHL salary?
The KHL, where the 30th ranked salary is equal to the 400th ranked salary in the NHL?
The KHL that's been losing/contracting teams and reducing salaries year after year?

Seems to me the question isn't whether the KHL will want NHLers, but whether the players will be willing to play for substantially less money.....if they didn't care about money first, why would they have left their home countries/missed out on the World's and other yearly international events in the first place?

I don't see the KHL "chomping at the bit" (I don't think they can afford a bit) & thus far Ovechkin hadn't actually done anything about it, so to early to give him praise/credit IMO

 

[sytheman]

Being as a Korean, all I can say to him is THANK YOU ALEX!!!