Could Ovechkin's Plans to Visit Russia Put Him in Jeopardy?
Given the current state of the Ukrainian-Russian war, it is difficult to imagine that any Russian player sitting in North America would willingly fly back to their homeland and potentially jeopardize themselves by getting involved in the conflict.
With uncertainty surrounding the number of players who have returned home since the war broke out on February 24th, 2022, many may have already done so.
Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin intends to travel back to Russia to attend Danis Zaripov's farewell game on August 9th. The 42-year-old right winger has been nothing short of a legend in the Russian hockey system and the KHL.
Having won five Gagarin Cups and finishing third in all-time KHL scoring, Zaripov has also achieved significant success as an international player, earning five world championship medals.
The question now arises whether Ovechkin will encounter any difficulties when returning to the United States after his trip to Russia. Some NHL players and prospects have faced issues with the Russian government, whether related to draft dodging or other troubles associated with the war.
However, I believe that Ovechkin will likely face no problems and will be allowed to return to the United States given his many years of work there.
It is widely known that Ovechkin is a staunch supporter of current President Vladimir Putin. Numerous photos have captured both men together, and Ovechkin has made political statements expressing his support for Russia and Putin.
Only time will tell if this friendship will endure and if Ovechkin will be permitted to re-enter the United States after he visits his home country.
| POLL | ||
Will the Russian government give Ovi a tough time to head back to the USA? | ||
| Yes | 400 | 41.4 % |
| No | 567 | 58.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
