Category: NHL

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The Detroit Red Wings closed out the 2026 NHL Prospects Tournament on a winning note, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in comeback fashion by a 3-2 final score in overtime. 

Forward Justice Christensen, who signed with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins after playing the last four years with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, scored twice, including the overtime game-winning tally. 

OT-winner to end the tournament🙌 pic.twitter.com/Y3fdnfSKz6

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2026

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The scoring was opened Columbus in the second period after a disputed tally from Josh Eernisse; while the Red Wings argued that goaltender Trey Augustine was interfered with, the tally stood. 

Christensen scored his first of two goals on the afternoon not long afterwards, firing a slap shot past Blue Jackets goaltender Nolan Lalonde from the top of the faceoff circle while on the power-play. 

Red Wings Interim Shawn Horcoff Has Several Key Tasks Ahead Of Him The Detroit Red Wings have named Shawn Horcoff their interim general manager with Training Camp less than 48 hours away.

Columbus restored their one goal lead thanks to Jordan Dumais. However, with Augustine on the bench, Noah Dower Nilsson cleaned up a rebound in front of the net and deposited a backhander past Lalonde, knotting the score at 2-2. 

In overtime, it was Christensen converting on a give-and-go rush with Sutter Muzzatti for the game-winning tally. 

JUICE OT W🚨 leads the rush great pass from Muzzatti on the give and go and Christensen buries#LGRWpic.twitter.com/3Bp2IZA4oP

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) September 15, 2026

Lalonde finished with 29 saves on 32 shots, while Augustine won his second straight game by turning aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced. 

The Red Wings, who recently named Shawn Horcoff their interim general manager, are scheduled to open Training Camp for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign on Thursday. 

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Artemi Panarin has played in 830 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings. In those 830 games, Artemi Panarin has registered 330 career goals and tallied 624 assists for a career point total of 954, meaning that Artemi Panarin is only 46 points away from 1000. 

Artemi Panarin's Career

With Artemi Panarin being on 4 different teams since coming into the NHL, those 4 different teams have played a different part in Panarin's career. In Chicago, Panarin played from 2015 to 2017, logging 162 games, scoring 61 goals, and registering 90 assists for 151 points with the Blackhawks. 

Artemi Panarin joined the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017 and played for them until 2019. In Columbus, Panarin played in 160 games, scoring 55 goals and tallying 114 assists for 169 points. After his time in Columbus, Panarin joined the New York Rangers. 

In New York, Panarin spent 7 seasons with the Rangers before being traded in February of 2026. During his time with the Rangers, Panarin played in 482 games, scoring 205 goals and registering 402 assists for 607 points. 

With the Los Angeles Kings, Panarin has played in only 26 games, scoring 9 times and registering 18 assists for 27 points. So, looking ahead to the 2026-27 NHL season, it will be Panarin's first full season as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, and with Artemi Panarin being only 46 points away, this milestone will likely be hit, as Panarin's career-low point total is 58 points during the 2020-21 NHL season. 

As of September 2026, only 103 NHL players have reached 1,000 career points, and only 4 of them were members of the Los Angeles Kings. Artemi Panarin has a chance to make history and become one of the few NHL players to reach 1000 career points. 

With the 2026 Prospect Tournament officially concluded, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced a collection of roster moves Tuesday in preparation for the fast-approaching NHL training camp.

The Penguins re-assigned forwards Jordan Charron, Travis Hayes, and Pierce Mbuyi, defensemen Benett Kelly and Peyton Kettles, and goaltenders Carter Casey and Xavier Wendt to their respective junior teams. Charron, Hayes, Mbuyi, and Kettles have all been drafted by the Penguins, while the others were formal invitees to the Prospect Tournament.

NHL training camp begins Sept. 17, which is officially only two days away. The Penguins have yet to announce a full training camp roster.

Charron and Mbuyi, in particular, showed out well in the three-game Prospect Tournament, which concluded Tuesday with a 3-1 loss against the Dallas Stars. Mbuyi, a third-round pick (86th overall) in 2026, scored the game-winning shootout goal in Game 1 to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets on a snipe from the slot. Charron showed his forechecking prowess as well as a nasty streak, and he notched the game-winner in Game 2 on a fluke own-goal by the Detroit Red Wings.

With a large number of prospects legitimately in the mix this time around for roster spots, the training camp roster figures to be quite substantial. Things should be even more interesting this year, too, as there are only three camp practices ahead of four pre-season games in one week with the NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) - set to take effect Sept. 16 - shortening the length of NHL training camps.

A full camp roster is expected soon, so stay in the loop by joining the Penguins' Roundtable Community to get the latest news and up-to-date information surrounding the club.

Penguins' Prospect Tournament: 3 Standouts From Game 3The Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects fell to the Dallas Stars' prospects 3-1 on Tuesday.

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Buffalo Sabres prospects were on display this weekend at the club’s two-game Prospect Showcase against the Boston Bruins, but with nearly half of their roster free agent invitees. The Sabres were outgunned by the Bruins prospects, who were led by 2025 seventh overall pick James Hagens, but the Sabres most prominent  performers were recent draftees. 

In the 6-2 loss on Sunday, the scoring stars were 2026 sixth-rounder Dylan Dumont and fifth-rounder Doman Szongoth. Dumont had a goal and assisted on Szongoth’s second-period power play goal. In the 4-3 overtime loss on Monday, Buffalo’s defensive prospects contributed, as 2023 draftees Maxim Strbak and Gavin McCarthy tallied, as well as Liam Valente.

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Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Valente is an intriguing prospect who signed a one-year AHL deal after his senior season at Western Michigan where he led the club with 20 goals. The 23-year-old scored his first professional goal with the Amerks at the end of last season and could be depended upon to fill some of the scoring gap with the Sabres affiliate, who will not have leading scorer Konsta Helenius, center Noah Ostlund, and ex-Sabres Lsak Rosen, or contributors Anton Wahlberg and Zac Jones. 

On Tuesday, the club announced that four players: Szongoth, Dumont, defenseman David Bedkowski, and goalie Samuel Meloche, were being sent back to their CHL clubs. Szongoth played at the junior level in Finland last season and internationally for Hungary, and will play for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. Dumont (Drummondville) and Meloche (Saint John) return to their QMJHL clubs, while Bedkowski will return to the Ottawa 67’s to play in his fifth OHL season.  

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The Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects fell just short in their bid to win this year's Prospect Tournament on Tuesday. 

They played the Dallas Stars' prospects with everything on the line, but lost 3-1. Liam Ruck scored the Penguins' lone goal in the first period off a great feed from his twin brother, Markus Ruck. 

CAUSING A RUCKUS IN DETROIT‼️ pic.twitter.com/gM1kAgBK3A

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 15, 2026

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take from this game, especially since the Penguins had several quality chances from numerous players. 

However, there were a few players who stood out above the rest. Here are three standouts from Game 3:

The Ruck Twins

Liam and Markus Ruck were everywhere in this game and generated scoring chances each time they were on the ice. The first goal was a thing of beauty: Mikhail Ilyin won a battle behind the net, got the puck to Markus, who knew exactly where Liam would be. Liam immediately fired the puck home to break the ice.

It was almost telepathic, but that shouldn't surprise anyone since the two brothers have played together their entire lives. 

There was a play later in the game when Markus found Liam wide open at the side of the net, but the latter couldn't finish the chance. He shot the puck through the goalmouth, and it went wide. 

It was a nice end to the tournament for the twin brothers, who will likely come to training camp for a little bit before returning to the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers. 

Jordan Charron

Charron was credited with the game-winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings' prospects on Sunday (even though it was an own goal), and almost scored again on Tuesday. 

He had some great chances from the slot, but the Stars' goaltender saved them, and he played a fantastic game. There was another sequence where Charron beat the goalie, but the shot rang off the post. 

He improved as the tournament went on, so we'll see whether he can carry that momentum into the 2026-27 season with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds. 

Father Of Penguins' Top Prospect Named Red Wings' Interim General ManagerThe Red Wings delay their search for a new permanent general manager with an interim move on Tuesday.

Matvei Nikonovich

We got our first glimpse of the Penguins' 2026 fifth-round pick on Tuesday, and he didn't disappoint. The 18-year-old goaltender kept the Penguins in the game with several key saves.

One save that really stood out was when he faced a third-period breakaway and calmly stayed with the shooter to deny him.

His agility was good, as was his ability to come out and challenge shooters. He also played the puck well behind the net when he had to. 

Nikonovich is set to play for the OHL's Barrie Colts this season after they selected him in the CHL Import Draft. It's a solid place for him to continue developing. 

Penguins' training camp officially opens at 8:45 a.m. ET on Thursday. All practices inside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex are free and open to the public. 

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It's been noted on multiple occasions that the St. Louis Blues have real interest in acquiring defenseman Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Their moves this off-season indicate they are looking for proven NHL talent in their early to mid-twenties, and Nikishin fits the bill. The Blues want to improve their current roster and keep competitive without hemorrhaging their future.

Nikishin is an ideal fit, and many analysts believe St. Louis is the perfect location for him.

But no progress has been made since the rumors began circulating in July. Nikishin hasn't been dealt yet, and the Hurricanes haven't offered the current restricted free agent a deal. Nikishin is also not offer-sheet eligible, which is why no team has tried to acquire him through an offer sheet. 

But recently, TSN's and The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun revealed that Nikishin has formally requested a trade from the Hurricanes, citing that he wants a change of scenery. At first glance, it's peculiar to see a player request a trade after just one season with a team, but a deeper look shows it makes sense. 

With the depth the Hurricanes possess on the left side of their blueline, Nikishin is slated to skate on the third pairing despite being far better than a bottom-pairing defenseman. He is also second in the pecking order to run the power play, as those duties have been given to Shayne Gostisbehere.

Could The St. Louis Blues Target Bruins' Mason Lohrei If Their Alexander Nikishin Pursuit Falters?The St. Louis Blues remain interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, but could they pivot to Boston Bruins' Mason Lohrei if they are unable to complete a deal?

With those elements adding up, and the sheer fact that Nikishin's numbers and overall play suggest he is more than worthy of a top-four role, it makes sense why Nikishin does not want to sign long-term in Carolina, and why Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky doesn't want to pay a premium for a defenseman who will play on the bottom pairing.

The Blues, meanwhile, have the perfect opening for Nikishin. Philip Broberg is the Blues' top pairing No. 1 defenseman, but Nikishin could slot into the second pairing, play big minutes, and quarterback the top power-play unit. Besides Logan Mailloux, no Blues player is really equipped to run a power-play unit.

Acquiring Nikishin would also help the Blues integrate their defensive prospects patiently. Although Theo Lindstein has shown he can be an NHL-level player, another season in the AHL could help him continue developing. He can improve his game and then step into the lineup when Cam Fowler's contract expires. It would also give Adam Jiricek time to develop in the AHL and be prepared to slot in alongside Nikishin when he is NHL-ready. 

Blues Remain Interested In Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin; Plenty Of Complications ExistThe St. Louis Blues remain interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, but plenty of complications exist in their pursuit.

With his 6-foot-3 frame, Nikishin brings everything the Blues want in a blueliner. Although trade talks have stalled, publicizing Nikishin's trade request could help the Blues. The season begins in just two weeks, and neither Nikishin nor the Hurricanes want this to linger into the NHL season. 

The Blues hold some leverage in trade discussions, but they aren't the only team interested. The Nashville Predators have reportedly entered the race, and the Winnipeg Jets have had known interest in acquiring the Russian defender. 

The price might be a bit steep to acquire and pay him, but he will bring results now and in the future.

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CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Joe Sakic will remain in the role of general manager for the Colorado Avalanche indefinitely with no search scheduled, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

Already the president of hockey operations, Sakic added the title of GM in June when the Nashville Predators hired away Chris MacFarland to lead their front office. The person spoke of Sakic's dual responsibilities on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the decision.

Sakic was the architect behind building the Avalanche squad that captured the 2022 Stanley Cup title. He turned the responsibilities over to MacFarland soon after the celebratory parade that summer. It's a position MacFarland held until the Predators made him their president of hockey operations/general manager.

As a player, Sakic led the Avalanche to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 — their first season in Denver — and 2001. The Hall of Fame forward is the only one in league history to win a title as a captain and GM with the same franchise.

It's been a busy offseason for Sakic that's included several trades with MacFarland (Ross Colton was sent to the Predators and later Jack Drury).

Sakic created quite a bit of buzz around the league in late August by making standout defenseman Cale Makar the highest-paid player in NHL history. Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension that kicks in next season. As a way to free up space to negotiate the extension, Sakic dealt Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for draft picks.

Colorado is coming off a season in which the team won the Presidents' Trophy with the best record in hockey before being swept by Vegas in the Western Conference Final. Among the moves made by Sakic was bringing in forward Jaden Schwartz on a three-year contract. Schwartz had 11 goals and 15 assists over 50 games with the Seattle Kraken last season.

"A very talented group," Schwartz said of the Avalanche. "They're a team that's been up there in the standings every year and have a good chance every year. I feel pretty fortunate to be part of it now."

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Despite hiring a search firm and reportedly considering more than 100 candidates, the Detroit Red Wings have decided that assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff will serve as the club’s interim general manager.

Horcoff, who has been overseeing operations since former GM Steve Yzerman vacated his role exactly two months ago, will report directly to governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.

“As our process continues to find the best possible leader for Red Wings hockey operations, I’m appreciative of Shawn for stepping up to serve in this capacity. His knowledge of our organization and range of experience allows us to operate with a clear decision-maker in place for the season ahead, while maintaining our commitment to carry out a thorough, methodical search process on our own timeline,” Ilitch said in part. “Shawn has my complete support and the authority to make decisions in the best interests of our organization.”

The Red Wings, who have been operating without an official general manager since the middle of the summer, at least now have someone in place - albeit on an interim basis - with the authority to oversee several key decisions that need to be made.

And it’s not going to be an easy task.

The most obvious and immediate priority is signing defenseman Simon Edvinsson, a restricted free agent who has blossomed into Detroit’s second-best blue liner behind Moritz Seider, to a new contract.

Secondly, Horcoff must deal with the ongoing situation involving former captain Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade earlier this summer but remains on the roster and is expected to attend training camp when it begins Thursday.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

And third, forward Alex DeBrincat, who became Detroit’s first 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa in 2008-09, is entering the final year of his current contract. He became eligible for an extension on July 1 and has already spoken openly about his desire to remain with the Red Wings.

In the short term, Horcoff will have an opportunity to officially audition for the full-time role as Detroit’s general manager.

Horcoff, who played collegiate hockey at Michigan State University, was selected in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 1998 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, with whom he spent most of his NHL career.

"Exciting": Griffins Coach Dan Watson Singles Out Carter Bear For Praise Detroit Red Wings draft selection Carter Bear was singled out for praise by Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson after his first two contests in the 2026 Prospects Tournament.

Horcoff was also part of the upstart No. 8-seeded Oilers squad who stunned the Red Wings in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2006. Later playing for both the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, Horcoff retired from the NHL after appearing in 1,008 career games, tallying 186 goals with 325 assists. 

He's worked with the Red Wings since being named director of player development in 2016; he was later named assistant GM and the GM of the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. 

The Red Wings begin Training Camp on Sept. 17, and will play their first preseason game on Monday, Sept. 21 at Columbus. 

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The Penguins got to work early on Tuesday, knocking out their third and final game of the prospect tournament in Detroit against Dallas.

Lineup for the Penguins’ final prospect tournament game in Detroit. Puck drop against Dallas at 10:30am.

Mbuyi gets a promotion to the top line. Ilyin swaps in for Sanderson on the Ruck line. Galvas becomes the only D to play 3 games. Nikonovich gets his first start in goal. pic.twitter.com/9XfKd9uIy1

— King Jemison (@king_jemison) September 15, 2026

The lines for today:

Pierce Mbuyi – Bill Zonnon – Tanner Howe
Mikhail Ilyin – Markus Ruck – Liam Ruck
Carter Sanderson – Atley Calvert – Jordan Charron
Max Graham – Brayden Edwards – Travis Hayes

Jake Livanavage / Harrison Brunicke
Tomas Galvas / Chase Pietila
Broten Sabo / Benett Kelly

The opposition had the following lineup with 11 forwards and seven defensemen dressed for the Stars.

Stars lines in Game 3 vs. Pittsburgh (11/7 again):

Hryckowian-Shlaine-Hemming
Fuder-Rickwood-Ertel
Brown-Fitzgerald-Martino
Gorzynski-Paquette

Vaněček-Taylor
Muhonen-Anderson
Cherepanov-Minnetian
Punnett

Tiefensee
Humphries

Scratches:
Bertucci
Schmidt (flu)

— Robert Tiffin (@RobertTiffin) September 15, 2026

The Ruck twins got the first goal, with linemate Mikhail Ilyin featuring into the scoring play as well. As seen so many times in the Rucks’ WHL highlight videos they used a quick pass from behind the back of the net that gives the goalie almost no chance. As usual it was Markus making the play and Liam finding the perfect spot to hammer in a quick shot and put the Pens on the board in the first period. The chemistry between the two and the suddenness that they can get a little ahead of the play makes it just about automatic for the puck to end up in the net.

CAUSING A RUCKUS IN DETROIT‼️ pic.twitter.com/gM1kAgBK3A

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 15, 2026

Penalty trouble was up next for the Pens, with them taking eight total minutes worth of penalties in the first period, including a Chase Pietila double minor. Dallas hit a post behind Matvei Ninkovich and then eventually scoring with a 5v3 advantage when former first round pick Emil Hemming scored on a one-time shot.

The score remained tied through the second period, early in the third Dallas pulled ahead with a player getting a stick to deflect a centering pass in. Ninkovich remained strong stopping a Stars shorthanded breakaway later in the third.

The Pens pull the goalie late, Dallas makes them pay with a long-range empty net goal to set the score at 3-1.

Some more passing thoughts

• Loved to see Harrison Brunicke play with an edge and come to a teammate’s defense after a post-whistle hit. Passive might not be the perfect world to use but sometimes in the past Brunicke has seemed a little physically disengaged. Not so today, it’ll be interesting to see if he brings some chippiness into NHL camp.
• Can’t really take any game too seriously that starts at 10:30 in the morning. For further levity, there was a whistle in the second period because an errant soccer ball went onto the ice courtesy of a team warming up for the next game after this one.
• That said, the two teams were feisty. Max Graham got into two fights. Pietila also dropped the gloves and connected on some big punches.
• it’s still one of a few evaluation tools to see players compete in a game setting. Tomas Galvas earned playing in all three games of the tournament – a reward for his impressive games to date. This one wasn’t really as impressive, his most notable play of the game might have been an early turnover resulting in a scoring chance against. Young players can be all over the map like that.
• It was nice to see the Ruck magic happen at the pseudo-professional level. The perk of having twins is how quickly and little effort it took for Markus to know exactly where his brother was and put a perfect pass out from behind the net to him. Then it was in the net.
• Was only perfectly whelmed by Jake Livanavage at this event – much like his performance at July’s development camp didn’t stand out. One would have thought his skills and strengths would be well-suited for summer hockey’s more relaxed style. Surprisingly enough, that wasn’t the case. Might be something to watch for in camp for any dark horse hopes he might have to make a run for a spot with the NHL team.
• Have liked the development of Ilyin in the last 12 months. He’s had another successful KHL season then jumped over to the AHL where he was pretty darn good for a first look of North American playoff action (nine points in 15 games that ranked tied for second among WBS playoff scorers). Last year I remember I called him ‘a stranger in a strange land’ for how he kept mostly to the perimeter and periphery of much of the action as he got acclimated. This time around Ilyin was right in the middle of it. He stole a puck, made a nice pass and drove to the net in the third, denied a goal only by a really nice save made on him.
• For being 18-years old and fresh to seeing all these players and this style, you could see why the Pens liked Nikonovich enough to draft him this year. He played an athletic style and gets himself in front of pucks, not having much of a chance on the only two goals he surrendered and playing well to stop a few tough ones. He’ll be headed to the OHL and will be a young prospect to watch.

That wraps it up for the Pens in Detroit, the young players now head back to Pittsburgh for the start of full NHL training camp on Thursday.

NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin is facing renewed backlash for his support of Vladimir Putin after appearing in a political campaign ad for the United Russia Party that supports the Russian President ahead of the start to the 2026-27 season.

MultipleRussian news outlets have published images and video of the commercial showing Ovechkin standing behind Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, a prominent figure in Putin's Kremlin and the leading parliamentary candidate for the United Russia Party. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of state-controlled broadcaster RT, as well as former NHL player Viacheslav Fetisov, actor Vladimir Mashkov and singer Tatyana Kurtukova, were also identified among the celebrities with Lavrov in reports.

The Washington Capitals said on Tuesday, Sept. 15, Ovechkin was asked “by his country to participate in a video campaign” while still in Russia this summer.

“Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement. This summer, while in Russia, he was asked by his country to participate in a video campaign,” Capitals spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C. and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city.” 

Ovechkin's presence in the ad has drawn widespread criticism on social media, including from one of the NHL's greatest goaltenders and one of the Washington Capitals' most famous fans.

NHL: Alex Ovechkin looks back at rivalry with Sidney Crosby: 'It's history'

Alex Ovechkin criticized for Russian political ad

Six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek, born in Czechia, quickly blasted Ovechkin's decision to appear in the political campaign ad supporting Lavrov and the United Russia Party.

"Everyone in this photograph has chosen to officially support Russia's imperialist war in Ukraine. Among them are also hockey player Ovechkin and former hockey player and national team captain Fetisov. Because of each of them, many Ukrainians and Russians will be killed," Hasek wrote.

Everyone in this photograph has chosen to officially support Russia's imperialist war in Ukraine. Among them are also hockey player Ovechkin and former hockey player and national team captain Fetisov. Because of each of them, many Ukrainians and Russians will be killed. pic.twitter.com/vyzjTv6wsj

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) September 14, 2026

D.C. celebrity restauranteur and Capitals fan Jose Andres also condemned Ovechkin's participation in the ad in a social media post, calling it a "sad day for my beloved DC team!!"

The Washington-based chef has helped serve more than 300 million meals in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began through his World Central Kitchen non-profit organization and he recently received the "National Legend of Ukraine" from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia is killing Americans in the Middle East with drones that help Iran! @Capitals@NHL@ovi8 and what Russians are doing in Ukraine is wrong…..killing civilians everyday….sad day for my beloved DC team!!😞😞😞 https://t.co/GiaC2SgjL2

— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) September 14, 2026

Ovechkin’s support of Putin isn't new

Ovechkin, hockey's all-time leading goal scorer, has been a longtime supporter of Putin despite it generating controversy in the United States, particularly once Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Ovechkin started a social movement in 2017 supporting Putin ahead of the upcoming Russian presidential election, and a picture of the two of them was on the winger's Instagram account.

Ovechkin told reporters, when asked about the war between Russia and Ukraine, "I hope soon it's going to be over and there's going to be peace in the whole world." But he continued to back Putin publicly.

"He’s my president but … I’m not in politics," Ovechkin said in 2022. "I’m an athlete and how I said, I hope everything is going to be done soon. It’s a hard situation right now for both sides. … I'm not in control of the situation."

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Lavrov in 2022 and named him as one of "the architects of Russia's war against Ukraine." He has served as Russia's foreign minister since 2004 and was previously Russia's ambassador to the United Nations.

Putin's United Russia party has released a new election campaign video featuring record breaking NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin alongside FM Sergey Lavrov, and other prominent Russians ahead of this week’s State Duma elections. pic.twitter.com/BIhZlFAKDN

— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) September 14, 2026

Alex Ovechkin contract, stats

Ovechkin, who will turn 41 this week, signed a one-year contract in July to return to the Capitals. He will earn $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million. He returned to the United States recently and made an appearance at the Capitals' practice facility on Monday, Sept. 15.

Ovechkin holds the NHL record with 929 goals. He had passed Wayne Gretzky's 894 goal mark in the 2024-25 season and hit 900 goals in 2025-26.

Ovechkin finished with 32 goals last season and will join Sidney Crosby, Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita and Steve Yzerman as the only players in NHL history to play 22 seasons with one franchise.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad