Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was the team’s representative at NHL Media Day on Friday. During a scrum with national reporters, Ovi spoke about his fitness for the upcoming season.
“Less weights, more quick,” a fit-looking Ovechkin said according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli.
But it was when Ovi revealed his weight that reporters and fellow NHL players were left scratching their heads.
Alex Ovechkin says he’s made some changes to his summer training. “Less weights, more quick.” But he is lighter? “Same. 260.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 6, 2019
Kings star Anze Kopitar was very skeptical.
Kopitar: “There’s no way he’s 260.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 6, 2019
Last season, Ovechkin was listed by the Capitals as being 6’3″ and 235 pounds. A major storyline headed into the season was just how in shape Ovi was after winning the Stanley Cup and having a super short summer to train.
The season before, the Caps Stanley Cup year, Ovechkin came into camp weighing in at 239 pounds.
Ovechkin arguably looks in better shape now than he was last September somehow.
This makes me think something may be lost in translation, or uh, conversion here. European players use the metric system and weight themselves in kilos while Americans use the imperial system and pounds.
260 would make him tied for the heaviest player in the NHL with dustin Byfuglien.
— Hunter Massey (@Tornhockeyfan) September 6, 2019
Or it’s just Ovi being Ovi!
Meanwhile, Ovechkin also answered questions about Evgeny Kuznetsov and teased that he might retire after his 13-year-contract ends with the Capitals in 2021.
Alex Ovechkin at the Player Tour asked by @CraigCustance about Kuznetsov. “It’s hard. He made a mistake. You have to support him.” pic.twitter.com/BZ1ceg5uW7
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 6, 2019
Asked how long he was gonna play, Alex Ovechkin deadpanned, “Two more years.” That’s how much contract he has left. He’s unsure if he’ll play beyond that but said “We’ll see.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) September 6, 2019
