On the first day of training camp, Alex Ovechkin said two important things. First, the Russian machine explained how offseason turnover was not going to sink the Caps’ battleship saying, “We’re not going to be suck this year.” Later he explained his long-term focus on winning a Stanley Cup by saying “goals is not my goal right now.” But throughout that day and the entirety of training camp, Ovechkin’s weight was a story. Ovechkin arrived early to Arlington, Virginia, looking slim. His official weight was only four pounds less than last year though.

Thursday morning, before the Capitals’ season opener, Ovechkin was asked about his weight again. And I’d like you to watch his face as he fields the question. He is legitimately confused as to why this is a story.

Video

"I feel great. Obviously, it's been a long summer so it's nice to be back."@Ovi8 talks before #CapsSens. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/jgIBm0A7fw

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 5, 2017

The question happens at the 2:15 mark of the video.

“We’ve read that you lost so much weight, somewhere as much as 20 pounds and I looked it was four pounds compared to last year to this year,” the reporter said. “Did you have some (special) training program that helped you?”

Ovechkin smiled and let out a chuckle. This was his response.

“No,” Ovechkin said. “I’ve been doing the same thing. Just to you guys.”

Then he added a joke.

“[The media] said I lost 20 pounds,” Ovechkin continued. “You kidding me? I’d be skinny.”

Everyone laughed. The scene ends.

Ovechkin clearly wants to shed the narrative that he’s in the best shape of his life or did anything special over the offseason (except singing Rasputin shirtless).

And in typical Ovechkin form, the Russian machine proved his doubters wrong again last night, exploding for a season-opening hat trick at age 32.