Forget breaking Gretzky’s record. Could Ovechkin become president of Russia?

Washington Capitals and NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin is on the cusp of breaking a scoring file many believed would by no means be damaged: the 894 targets scored by Wayne Gretzky over his illustrious profession.

As of this writing, Ovechkin sits at 875 targets. Solely he, Gretzky and Gordie Howe are members of the 800-goal membership. With solely 30 video games left within the season – he missed 15 video games this yr with accidents – will probably be powerful, however not inconceivable to eclipse Gretzky’s record this yr.  

That mentioned, if he doesn’t, there’s not an individual in hockey who doesn’t imagine Ovechkin will break the file early subsequent yr and go on to attain over 900 targets. A file I predict won’t ever be damaged.

Ovechkin is a phenom; the human equal of a brick wall at 6-foot-3 and 240 kilos; and arguably one of the highest 5 gamers ever to skate within the NHL. The opposite 4 for my part are Gretzky, Howe, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux.

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Ovechkin additionally has that elusive “It Issue,” which has made him world well-known. Most particularly in his native Russia.

Means again within the day as an adolescent, I had a dream to play within the NHL. I used to be lucky sufficient to get invited to one NHL camp and a number of other minor league camps. Solely an entire lack of expertise and a knee harm stored me from realizing that dream. Nevertheless it was the love of hockey that impressed me to observe the actually superb profession of Ovechkin. 

Years later, I executed a 180 away from sports activities and by some means ended up as a author within the White Home for 2 presidents, an official on the Pentagon, director of communications for former Sen. Bob Dole, a vice president of a widely known authorities relations agency, and a principal on the then largest legislation agency on the earth, the place I specialised in politics and authorities relations.  

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And it’s as a result of of that background, that I’ve been viewing Ovechkin via a completely totally different prism. 

Anybody who has remotely adopted the life and career of Ovechkin is aware of that he’s a person of character. He’s famend for being a terrific husband, father, good friend, teammate, and a giving philanthropist. 

He’s additionally famend for loving his native Russia and her individuals. As he ought to.

Right this moment – fairly sadly – we stay in a really polarized nation and world the place far too many individuals function from private and ideological silos separated from all others. As one who has labored in politics at a reasonably excessive stage, I’ll confess to not being a fan of both political occasion.  

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My “Celebration” for the final 15 years or so has been the “commonsense” Celebration. I strongly imagine it’s in one of the best curiosity of all of us to talk to one another in a civil method whereas in search of out shared pursuits and options.

Over the past three years, one of the themes that has turn out to be politicized and polarized is the struggle in Ukraine. This isn’t the discussion board to have a forwards and backwards on that topic. That acknowledged, I’ll enterprise to say that we as a individuals and as a nation should make it clear that the people of Russia aren’t our enemy. Sadly, over the past three years, we’ve got witnessed a quantity of athletes from Russia handled because the “enemy” by some.

As a result of of the struggle in Ukraine, some have chosen to rhetorically assault Ovechkin for his friendship with Vladimir Putin. Whereas it’s all the time simple – particularly within the age of social media – to assault somebody on the ground of the “enviornment” from the peanut gallery within the stands or from 30,000 toes up, it’s additionally nearly inconceivable to know the information, the historical past, or somebody’s coronary heart from that distance.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals reacts following a play in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership on Nov. 18, 2024, at Delta Heart in Salt Lake Metropolis. (Jamie Sabau/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures)

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Judgments of Putin apart, I discover it admirable that Ovechkin – whereas making it clear a number of instances that whereas he’s not political, he does love his nation and doesn’t need to see war between Russia and Ukraine – has refused to stroll away from his friendship with the Russian president.

And prefer it or not, it’s that call, alongside together with his fame, charisma and private generosity, which have made Ovechkin a beloved determine in Russia.  

Right this moment, as I function from below my political hat, I’m all the time scoping the panorama to evaluate who may be one of the best candidate for the Democrats and the Republicans come 2028. JD Vance for the Republicans. No concept for the splintered Democrats. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks on the Kremlin. (Sergei Karpukhin/TASS/Sipa USA)

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It’s from below that very same hat that I take a look at the panorama of Russia with the understanding that sooner or later, Putin will stand aside. After which what? Who would possibly fill such an amazing vacuum?

As somebody who does have a reasonably deep understanding of politics, all I can say is that Alexander Ovechkin checks a terrific many packing containers. By no means say “by no means.”

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