Alex Ovechkin, currently vacationing in Miami, expressed disinterest in the Four Nations Face-Off due to Russia's exclusion from the tournament. He criticized the NHL's decision to bar Russian participation, following similar actions by the IIHF due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Instead, Ovechkin is focusing on recovering from a leg injury and training with a former NHL player. The Capitals, leading the Eastern Conference, have no players participating in the tournament, highlighting their unique position among NHL teams during this international break.
"I won't be watching the Four Nations Tournament. What's the point of watching something where the Russian team isn't participating?"
The NHL's decision to bar Russia from midseason international action follows what the IIHF has done with both Russian and Belorussian national teams since 2022.
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