Ovechkin to return to Russia after the season (source RT)

[Cancuks]

NHL legend Ovechkin to return to Russia in 2026 – wife

Rumors are apparently true, according to his wife.

”Ovechkin still has a year left on his contract. So, we will play next season and then fly back to Moscow, to our homeland,” Shubskaya said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty. “We will stay in Russia,” she added.

 

[Hippasus]

So he is playing next season in Washington. Great.

 

[Oddbob]

I think this is one of those very well known "secrets" out there. The rumours were around last summer already.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

You don’t say???

 

[Stealth JD]

Ok.
Assumed this was common knowledge at this point.

 

[PistolPete]

Send him back now. How much is his heart going to be in it when he has his Cup and he broke Gretzky's record?

He has nothing to play for and he's just biding his time until he can return to Russia.

 

[Hanji]

When the wife speaks, so it will be.

 

[PistolPete]

When the wife speaks, so it will be.

The understanding that is key to a happ.....peaceful marriage.

 

[centipede2233]

Just ask Chris printer’s wife why he only played 1 season in Edmonton lol

 

[TheGreatPandasage]

IIrc he wants to see out his career at his boyhood club Dynamo(his mom was also a member of it)

 

[Shark Finn]

Send him back now. How much is his heart going to be in it when he has his Cup and he broke Gretzky's record?

He has nothing to play for and he's just biding his time until he can return to Russia.

Paycheck and 900 RS goals.

 

[Zine]

Send him back now. How much is his heart going to be in it when he has his Cup and he broke Gretzky's record?

He has nothing to play for and he's just biding his time until he can return to Russia.

Paycheck and 900 RS goals.

Actually, Ovechkin's wife insinuated that he didn't like this season b/c the pressure to break Gretzky's record was all-encompassing and coming from everywhere. It was goal 895 and nothing else.

She said next year can be better b/c Ovi can just play and do what he loves.

 

[PistolPete]

Paycheck and 900 RS goals.

Of course.

 

[Voight]

Just ask Chris printer’s wife why he only played 1 season in Edmonton lol

This made me laugh harder than it should've

 

[PistolPete]

This made me laugh harder than it should've

Yup. Chris Pronger didn't know he was miserable in Edmonton until his wife kindly let him know that he is utterly, 100%, completely, absolutely miserable.....in Edmonton

Wives are so insightful that way

 

[centipede2233]

This made me laugh harder than it should've

Auto correct strikes again!

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I have such a hard time seeing Ovechkin retiring from the game completely. The guy clearly loves playing still, and now that the record is dealt with there isn't much pressure anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if he kept going in Russia for a few years.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Seemed pretty obvious. Probably one year in khl. Maybe more if he’s feeling good. I also suspect he is being groomed to be the future head of Russian hockey.

 

[Faterson]

Don't let the door hit your ass on your way out. (Should have returned three years ago.)

 

[mr figgles]

Send him back now. How much is his heart going to be in it when he has his Cup and he broke Gretzky's record?

He has nothing to play for and he's just biding his time until he can return to Russia.

He can still become the first player to score 900 as well as just padding his record to keep it safe.

 

[chaser17]

This made me laugh harder than it should've

I googled Chris Printer only to realize who he was talking about the second I hit the search button lol

 

[The Nuge]

It was kind of the most open secret in hockey. Although I do wonder if he puts up 60 and has a chance to be the first to 1000 goals if he might consider another year

 

[PistolPete]

It was kind of the most open secret in hockey. Although I do wonder if he puts up 60 and has a chance to be the first to 1000 goals if he might consider another year

Nah. He'll be russian back to Moscow unless Washington offers him insane money

 

[eojsmada]

Not a surprise. And the email that went out was simply a tad too early, because I'm sure the team and Ovechkin wanted to make an announcement themselves.

 

[Hockey2Hockey]

I thought the Capitals refuted this report yesterday?