Ovechkin: Russia's Olympic Ban Talk Feels Pointless Now
The Washington captain says he's stopped speculating on Russia's international ban, doubting Gary Bettman alone controls the decision to return.
Alexander Ovechkin says he has given up trying to make sense of the on-again, off-again talk about Russia's international ban, and no longer sees any point discussing it.
The Washington forward, speaking to Vyacheslav Fetisov, was asked directly whether he had raised the issue with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who has kept the national team out of the World Cup of Hockey.
Fetisov likened the process to a shell game, asking Ovechkin to guess where the ball is hiding. Ovechkin agreed, laughing, and added that he no longer sees Bettman as the one holding it: "I think that little depends on Bettman there too."
Ovechkin, three-times a world champion with Russia, said the Olympic dream stays with him even after he stops playing, but that he currently sees no sign of a route back to the Games.
Roman Rotenberg, an official with the Russian hockey federation, said this week that a return before the 2028 World Cup of Hockey remains possible, starting with youth teams before the senior side follows. Ovechkin's comments suggest the players themselves have stopped counting on any timeline.
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