Alex Ovechkin recently shared his dislike for summer training, and now a photo has emerged that raises concerns about his health.
The Washington Capitals made a playoff push in 2024, but after being swept in the first round, it's clear that their window for a second Stanley Cup is closing. Despite this, with Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals in NHL history, the team always has a chance.
Ovechkin recently spoke about his off-season work ethic, saying:
«I hate preseason,» Ovechkin said. «I really hate it. I don't like to just train. This is the hardest thing. Imagine, you arrived after your vacation, you have a tan, everything is fine, you're happy. And your coach calls you and says, 'Well, Sash? Tomorrow we begin training.' You go to training, then rest, then another training session. I hate it, I can't stand it.»
A recent photo on social media has added to these concerns, showing Ovechkin looking out of shape for an elite NHL player.
Ovi out there having a big back summer oh my god 😂
Since their season ended just over a month ago, it makes sense if Ovechkin isn't in top shape right now. However, given his reputation on the ice, this photo has raised eyebrows around the league. If he returns in great shape before the 2024-25 season, this will be forgotten, but at 38 years old, his work ethic is now under scrutiny.