OV's going to Sochi

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Katie Carrera ‏@kcarrera Ted Leonsis says he will let Alex Ovechkin go to Sochi regardless of whether all NHL players are allowed.

Ted's no dummy.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

So Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? Oh, I thought this was a trade.....sorry.

 

[elocomotive]

I think at the last Olympics, Ovechkin already said he's going to play in Sochi regardless of what the NHL's policy is on it. Let's hope he gets the torch carrying/lighting part down a little better than 99...

[YOUTUBE]CejKVy6-K_o[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Maybe he can try and work around a suspension for an elbow.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I wonder if this will refuel the argument that Euros have more passion for winning the Olympic Gold than the Stanley Cup.

I think some do and some don't but a lot of people like to paint a group of players with the same brush.

 

[SLY]

Olympic Gold would be more important to me than the Stanley Cup as well.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I wonder if this will refuel the argument that Euros have more passion for winning the Olympic Gold than the Stanley Cup.

I think some do and some don't but a lot of people like to paint a group of players with the same brush.

to be fair, Ovechkin was more passionate aboot hitting some tail at Russia House during Vancouver 2010 than winning a gold medal

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Olympic Gold would be more important to me than the Stanley Cup as well.

It would be interesting to see a survey with NHL players and see their feelings. I would think a lot of Canadian players would prefer a Stanley Cup. What do our Canadian friends here think?

 

[elocomotive]

It would be interesting to see a survey with NHL players and see their feelings. I would think a lot of Canadian players would prefer a Stanley Cup. What do our Canadian friends here think?

I remember in that Ovechkin DVD that came out (that of course your boy scooped up immediately - Ovechkin mark, right here!) his dad saying something about winning the Stanley Cup being the most important thing in hockey. That it was Alex's number one goal and that Alex wouldn't feel successful if he didn't achieve that. I'm paraphrasing, but I think that is telling. So, I don't think it's just Canadians that feel the Cup is the penultimate acheivement. If it was, you'd see more Russians stay in the KHL. You can certainly make a lot of money there these days.

And I also think you can't compare the two. You win a Cup for yourself, your team, and your fans. But you play for a gold for your entire COUNTRY and you only get a couple chances in your career if you're lucky. I don't know how the Cup can compete with that. Hundreds of Canadians play in the NHL every year, but very few of even them will ever put on an Olympic sweater.