Alex Ovechkin’s decision to keep playing has the Capitals excited for another season, but a new off-ice controversy is now swallowing up plenty of the attention around the NHL’s all-time goal leader.
Ovechkin was shown in a video for Vladimir Putin’s United Party, standing with Russian politicians and behind Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. He does not speak in the clip, but his presence alone was enough to trigger backlash from NHL fans, many of whom objected to seeing him associated with Putin’s political operation while the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.
The reaction online came quickly and was pointed. One fan wrote, “Ovechkin chose to participate in this video.
And the @Capitals are cool with it apparently!” Another said, “Really sad and disgusting.
As a proud adopted Washingtonian, always loved going to the Caps games from time to time. Think I'll skip as long as Ovechkin is around. https://t.co/dPBcQ405Dy”
A separate post noted that Ovechkin has long been viewed as a Putin supporter, pointing out that he featured the Russian president in his Instagram profile picture for years. That post also referenced Ovechkin’s past response when asked about war, including his comment that calling for an end to all war and saying the conflict with Ukraine is "not in my hands."
Another fan post took aim at the broader hockey coverage around Ovechkin, saying, “How long will the NHL media continue to blatantly ignore the fact that Ovechkin openly supports Putin’s horrific war in Ukraine?
The answer is obvious. Since there’s no journalism left in the NHL, its PR department (formerly known as the media) will keep turning a blind eye.”
The Capitals have not commented on Ovechkin’s appearance in the ad with Lavrov.
Ovechkin was born in Moscow and played for Dynamo Moscow before coming to the NHL. He previously backed Putin ahead of Russia’s 2018 presidential election, though he later said he supported Putin because he supports his country and denied being involved in any "political stuff."
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin said he was against war but did not take a side in favor of Russia or Ukraine. For a time, his Twitter profile picture showed Putin, and his wallpaper on X is still an image of the Russian flag.
In Other News...
Capitals Just Made Their Ryan Leonard Belief Impossible To Miss
Ryan Leonards first season in Washington gave the Capitals plenty to like, and the organization has now made its long-term view unmistakable. The 2023 first-round pick produced 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 games as a rookie, a strong debut that quickly turned him from promising addition into a core piece the franchise wanted to secure before the conversation could drag on any longer.
General manager Chris Patrick has already signaled confidence in Leonards development, and the new agreement reflects how quickly that belief hardened. For a Capitals team trying to shape its next window around young, reliable talent, locking in a player who has already shown he can contribute at the NHL level is the kind of move that sends a clear message about where the organization sees him in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Enter A New Ted Leonsis Era Behind The Scenes
Monumental Sports & Entertainment made a notable behind-the-scenes move this week, elevating Zach Leonsis into a larger leadership role inside the company that owns the Capitals. The announcement signals a continuation of the family influence that has long shaped the organization, with Ted Leonsis still at the center as founder and CEO while the next generation takes on more responsibility.
Zach Leonsis will be involved in some of the companys most important business areas, including the infrastructure that supports the teams day-to-day operations and the broader media and venue side of the enterprise. Both Leonsis men addressed the transition in statements about growth and what comes next, a reminder that for the Capitals, some of the biggest changes can happen far from the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Just Made Their Belief In Justin Sourdif Very Clear
The Capitals have made a clear long-term bet on Justin Sourdif, locking up the right winger with a new extension that reflects how strongly the organization views his growth and versatility. General manager Chris Patrick said as much in an official statement, pointing to the way Sourdif has developed and the value he brings as a player who can fit in a variety of roles.
The timing only adds to the significance of the move, coming just before the leagues new collective bargaining agreement deadline changed how long these kinds of deals could run. For Washington, it is another signal that Sourdif is part of the clubs future plans, even if the financial details and start date make this one more about what comes next than what he is being asked to provide right away. [Read more 🡒]