During the offseason, Evgeny Kuznetsov predicted Alex Ovechkin would score 50 goals next season. It seemed like a trite prediction from a close friend, but maybe there was something to his comments.
Less than four weeks before Capitals’ training camp is set to begin, Ovechkin is back in DC to train. That’s newsworthy because the Russian machine usually works out in his homeland and leaves for North America sometime around or after his September 17 birthday. He is back considerably early to get down to business.
A Capitals representative confirmed the news, saying Ovechkin is “back in town to get ready for the season.”
We were first given a heads up that The Great Eight was in DC by reader Savannah Moss, who noticed a particularly amazing Instagram photo. Her friend, Bogdan, was posing with the Capitals captain at Dulles Airport early this afternoon.
“This familiar face asked me if I was in line for Starbucks at the airport,” Bogdan K. wrote on Instagram.
A trim Ovechkin was wearing an Air Jordan hat, a Russian ice hockey shirt, and Beats By Dre headphones.
Last season, Ovechkin had the third-lowest goal total of his career (33), but received two minutes less ice time per game from Barry Trotz. Shortly after hosting a July 8 wedding with Nastya Ovechkina and going on a honeymoon to the Maldives, Ovechkin ramped up his training for next season with his personal trainer Pavel. Ovechkin’s workouts included weights, crossfit training, and running at a track.
Several veterans and prospects have already returned to DC including Braden Holtby, Philipp Grubauer, John Carlson, and Nathan Walker.
Headline photo: @bkyselyov
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