Crosby reacts to Ovechkin's plan to leave NHL after this season
In short
Alexander Ovechkin has said the current season will be his last in the NHL, according to Russian outlets TASS and RBC. Sidney Crosby, described by RBC as Ovechkin's main rival, reacted to the decision, saying he has enormous respect for him and that the most important thing is for Ovechkin to be happy and enjoy hockey in his final season. TASS reported Crosby's view that the announcement will help Ovechkin in his play.
Read the full story 1 min read
Russian forward Alexander Ovechkin has announced that the current season will be his last in the NHL, Russian outlets TASS and RBC reported. Both documents refer to the announcement as an earlier statement by Ovechkin and give no further details of when or how it was made. [ 1 , 2 ]
Sidney Crosby, whom RBC described as Ovechkin's main rival, reacted to the decision. TASS reported Crosby's view that the announcement will help Ovechkin in his game. RBC reported that Crosby said he has enormous respect for Ovechkin and that the main thing is for him to be happy and enjoy hockey in his last season. Neither document says where or when Crosby spoke, and both quote only short fragments of his remarks. [ 1 , 2 ]
The documents describe Ovechkin's decision specifically in terms of the NHL and do not address what he plans to do afterwards. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Ovechkin's decision marks the end of one of the NHL's longest-running individual storylines, and the reaction from Crosby points to the scale of the rivalry the two have sustained. The documents give no further detail on what the decision means beyond the league or for the coming season.
Key facts
- Alexander Ovechkin announced that the current season will be his last in the NHL [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sidney Crosby reacted to Ovechkin's decision [ 1 , 2 ]
- RBC described Crosby as Ovechkin's main rival [ 2 ]
- Crosby said the announcement would help Ovechkin in his game [ 1 ]
- Crosby said he has enormous respect for Ovechkin [ 2 ]
- Crosby said the main thing is for Ovechkin to be happy and enjoy hockey in his last season [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When and where Ovechkin made his announcement, and the full text of what he said Both documents refer to the announcement only as an earlier statement and give no date, place or fuller wording.
- When, where and in what setting Crosby made his comments The documents quote only short fragments of Crosby's remarks and do not say where or when he spoke.
- Whether Ovechkin intends to end his playing career entirely or only to leave the NHL Both documents speak specifically of the NHL season; neither addresses his plans afterwards.