A photo of Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin raises serious concerns
Photo credit: Five Thirty Eight
Washington Capitals exit early, Ovechkin gains offseason attention.
As the NHL playoffs push forward with the Florida Panthers poised for a sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Washington Capitals reflect on an early exit.
The spotlight, however, shifts to Alex Ovechkin who recently became the subject of social media buzz due to his offseason appearance.
A photograph of Ovechkin back in Russia circulated online, sparking numerous comments about his seemingly increased weight.
Although it's not our intent to highlight weight changes in a negative light, the image has raised eyebrows given Ovechkin's own candid remarks about his disdain for off-season training.
In an interview earlier this month with « That's Hockey Brother, » a Russian outlet, Ovechkin expressed his aversion to the off-season regimen. His words, translated by RMNB, were clear:
« I hate preseason,» Ovechkin said. «I really hate it. I don't like to just train. This is the hardest thing. Imagine, you arrived after your vacation, you have a tan, everything is fine, you're happy. And your coach calls you and says, ‘Well, Sash? Tomorrow we begin training.' You go to training, then rest, then another training session. I hate it, I can't stand it. »
This reluctance to engage in preseason activities may be evident in the recent photo that has fans talking. While his NHL profile lists him at 238 lbs, the picture suggests a possible increase.
Despite this, Ovechkin acknowledges the necessity of training and plans to resume workouts with Pavel Burlachenko before returning to D.C. this fall.
As Ovechkin ages, he has adapted his training philosophy, which might be a response to the physical demands of the sport and his own changing body dynamics.
This adjustment comes after a season of mixed performances; he scored only eight goals in the first 43 games but surged post-NHL All-Star break with 23 goals.
With two years remaining on his contract with the Capitals—signed in 2021 and likely his last—Ovechkin approaches his 20th NHL season. This upcoming season may be pivotal in determining how he manages his fitness and legacy in the sport.
The evolving story of Ovechkin's offseason, coupled with his forthcoming return, will be critical for the Capitals as they aim to make a deeper playoff run next season. His physical condition and mindset towards training will be significant factors to watch.
Previously on HawksLatest
| POLL |
14 JUIN | 63 ANSWERS A photo of Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin raises serious concerns Do you think that Ovechkin will retire in 2025-2026? |
| Yes | 43 | 68.3 % |
| No | 20 | 31.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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