Last Saturday, Alex Ovechkin played in a charity game hosted by friend and former NHL'er Ilya Kovalchuk. "From Pure Heart", as the English translation goes, ended in a 17-17 tie and raised over 16M Rubles, or $500K US. It was a big success, and it featured many former and current NHL players such as Slava Fetisov, Valery Kamensky, and Evgeni Malkin.
It also featured KHL President Alexander Medvedev, and in his interview after the game with a member of Sports-Express he left quite a cryptic message about the future of Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin.
When asked by the reporter about whether Ovechkin and Malkin will be seen on any KHL rinks in the future, Medvedev had this to say:
"You mean comeback to Russia? There might be good surprises in a year"
In the ensuing hailstorm of controversy that followed, many fans and pundits in the game are still left with that burning question: Will Ovechkin and/or Malkin bolt for the KHL?
Ovechkin and Malkin are both signed until 2021 and 2022, respectively, and they will make a hefty amount of money in that time, however the KHL is no doubt trying to lure them away, and the idea of "under-the-table" money has to be... well... on the table.
So would Ovechkin take the bait, pull a Kovalchuk, leave his contract and Washington team in the dust, and head to Russia to sign what will most likely be a record-breaking contract?
With the belief that Medvedev is just stirring the pot, I have to say 'No'.
Ovechkin has had immense success here in DC. He is by far the deadliest sniper in the game, unless you count that kid in Tampa. He has won a ton of individual trophies and has given DC something to root for (except those pesky playoffs).
The direction of the Capitals would be the only thing to keep Ovechkin grounded here. With the ups and downs the last few seasons, the finger-pointing at Ovechkin has never been greater, and the pressure to win has never been more intense.
Ovechkin wants to win a Stanley Cup. Pure and simple.
He needs to prove to everyone that he can carry this team to the Cup and bring Washington its first championship, otherwise he'll go down as just another "great player" and not a "legend".
Pride is a big thing for Ovechkin. When his team loses, he takes it to heart. Whether you believe it or not, Ovechkin loves his team and he plays his little heart out until it's beating out of his chest.
Another thing, is that he's only 28 and he knows he has a lot more to prove in this league. He is really just at the beginning stages of his prime and to go back to Russia now would be giving up. The Capitals will be a different team this year, and going into the future, Ovechkin wants to be a part of this family.
Perhaps 6-7 years down the road, we'll see Ovechkin make the jump, but unless Mother Russia makes him an "offer" he can't refuse, Ovechkin will be in a Caps sweater for a few more years.
What do you guys think? Will Ovechkin and/or Malkin join the KHL?
More to come...
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