Alex Ovechkin Makes his Feelings Known on Russia's Absence From The Four Nations Face Off
has been a huge win for the NHL, but without the Russian team, Alexander Ovechkin has made it clear that he's not watching as he continues to campaign for one last shot on the international stage before his retirement arrives.
The Four Nations has been the highlight of the sports world this past week, and while there were critics heading into the tournament, fans have been raving about it, with the return of the NHL to the international stage being a big hit.
However, there are some drawbacks to the tournament, with the main one being the omission of Russia from the tournament, and while the reasons behind it are understandable, that doesn't make everyone happy.
One such person is Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who recently opened up on Russia's omission, stating that he has no interest in watching the tournament without his home country competing.
On paper, the Russian's would have one of the strongest teams in the tournament, with stars like Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Igor Shesterkin and many others, and with the 2026 Olympics upcoming, they would be a major threat to take out gold.
Unfortunately though, with the way the world is right now, no one would accept Russia into the Four Nations, and while Finland have a 1-1-0 record thus far, it's safe to say that the Russian's would be a much bigger threat.
Overall however, the return of Russia to international play will strengthen things mightily overall, and with teams such as Czechia, Switzerland and Germany also set to join the field, things are going to heat up in a big way moving forward.
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530316.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530162.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530154.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
