Alexander Ovechkin v. The World - Page 14 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Matata · 03-10-2022, 09:04 AM

I don't have a hard time thinking that Ovie is facing a lot of pressure we don't see and his comments may be based in self preservation.

That said, I still think he should get eaten alive for them and it should be made clear to everyone that he is a Putin toady.

CroFlames · 03-10-2022, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matata

I don't have a hard time thinking that Ovie is facing a lot of pressure we don't see and his comments may be based in self preservation.

That said, I still think he should get eaten alive for them and it should be made clear to everyone that he is a Putin toady.

I agree. It probably tougher for him than any other Russian athlete to take a bold stance. His family, by all accounts, is akin to Russian nobility and are part of the upper crust of Moscow. Putin hand-picked Ovi to be his famous celebrity endorser. Ovi probably was indoctrinated from a young age to not bite the hand that feeds them.

Still, the right thing to do is take a bold stance and declare unequivocal opposition to Putin and all violence. Many people are making sacrifices and so should Ovi.

CalgaryFan1988 · 03-10-2022, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Take this FWIW:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1498418442659143686

Personally, I don't understand how people can be on the fence with Ovechkin (the person). Stories like this make it easy to dislike him. And for those who say "we don't know what it's like for him and his family in Russia", be that as it may, I would imagine a good person would have at least changed his Instagram picture by now.

Hack&Lube · 03-10-2022, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Ovie seems like a good guy. There's been good stories from him coming through Calgary over the years too.

Just made ties with bad people, his president being one of them.

He probably wants to return home some day, and has family there. It's a tough position to be in when your country's ruler is a ruthless dictator who can enforce just about anything without moral bounds.

He is lacking in courage I would say, and that's the disappointing part, but I don't know if some self preservation here isn't out of bounds when you're so high profile and your country is literally screening people's phones, monitoring what people are saying and cracking down on those that are vocally in opposition.

He doesn't even have the courage to change his instagram profile picture. It's still him with Putin.

https://www.instagram.com/aleksandro...fficial/?hl=en

The Fisher Account · 03-10-2022, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

He doesn't even have the courage to change his instagram profile picture. It's still him with Putin.

https://www.instagram.com/aleksandro...fficial/?hl=en

Exactly. This is a purposeful decision on his part. He's got millions of followers.

No sympathy on my end for what he's getting now.

Erick Estrada · 03-10-2022, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

^^ I have no doubt Ovechkin’s been taken in by Putin. Though I’m a little put off by his present “I’m not into politics” stance when he was pretty involved in Putin’s campaigns.

Isn't it akin to getting involved with the mob though where the only way out is in a body bag? There's a reason that most Russian players are being silent as they have family in Russia and saying things to appease North American fans could put their family members in jeopardy. It's very complicated and not nearly as simple as North Americans think.

powderjunkie · 03-10-2022, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Take this FWIW:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1498418442659143686

If anyone wants some context for the 2014 issues (which I don't recall at the time):

https://www.vox.com/2014/8/28/607936...-putin-ukraine

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...140054207.html

Quote:

“I don’t want a war. Ukrainian and Russian people are close people and we have a war right now. That’s it.”

...

"I don't try to make a statement," Ovechkin told ESPN.com. "Right now, as a Russian, I have lots of friends from Ukraine. I just don't want a war. Nobody wants a war. Especially when people are so close. It's hard to see especially when you live so close to Ukraine. It's hard and it's dangerous. People die."

"We watch the news all the time," Ovechkin said. "It's hard. I have lots of friends up there. The people who live there, they don't want war. They just want to have a good life like all of us."

He was definitely complicit in a propaganda campaign (again, I question the extent to which he was aware of, researched, or critically thought about the issues - as I imagine many athletes don't do when making endorsements, either), but his statements were reasonable.

activeStick · 03-15-2022, 11:49 PM

OV moves past Jagr today with his 767th goal.

Jagr with his congratulations to OV.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1503916974547611649

CroFlames · 03-16-2022, 10:32 AM

The real news here is Jagr officially announcing his comeback and chasing Ovechkin in the goal chart.

Locke · 03-16-2022, 12:45 PM

Classy Jagr you glorious bastard!!

curves2000 · 03-16-2022, 01:11 PM

Jagr still looking like a lean, mean machine!!! I still can't believe he played for Calgary and I am still disappointed at how badly his time was handled here with Gully, bagskatting, injuries etc.

redmile04 · 03-16-2022, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curves2000

Jagr still looking like a lean, mean machine!!! I still can't believe he played for Calgary and I am still disappointed at how badly his time was handled here with Gully, bagskatting, injuries etc.

Also huge was no preseason... young players like Eichel struggle without preseason.. of course Jagr was going to... that was a big factor also.

Buff · 03-16-2022, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmile04

Also huge was no preseason... young players like Eichel struggle without preseason.. of course Jagr was going to... that was a big factor also.

He even said he wasn't training in the off season because he didn't think anyone was going to call on him.

SmoggyFlamesFan · 03-16-2022, 01:18 PM

Not wanting to derail AOs amazing accomplishment but for those calling for his head about his Putin stance, some new information is coming to light.

Being on this side of the world, Ovechkin now has access to different forms of media that show the other side of the war. His public image may be being controlled out of fear for the safety of his family. Please see: https://www.google.com/amp/s/novacap...ys-safety/amp/

Apologies to the mods if this has been posted already. If this is indeed true, then I feel sorry for Ovi.

GioforPM · 03-16-2022, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Not wanting to derail AOs amazing accomplishment but for those calling for his head about his Putin stance, some new information is coming to light.

Being on this side of the world, Ovechkin now has access to different forms of media that show the other side of the war. His public image may be being controlled out of fear for the safety of his family. Please see: https://www.google.com/amp/s/novacap...ys-safety/amp/

Apologies to the mods if this has been posted already. If this is indeed true, then I feel sorry for Ovi.

Thing is, his family connections got him where he is. And he embraced Putin without concern for his family (I get that he’s just a dumb jock but he still enjoyed the celebrity). I seriously doubt changing a profile pic would actually endanger his family anyway. Even Putin gets a “lie low” change like that.

Mathgod · 03-16-2022, 01:22 PM

Again he should have got his family out following the 2014 invasion of Crimea.

And no I'm not buying the "he was too priveliged to know the truth about Putin" line.

Locke · 04-12-2022, 07:48 PM

How? How in a 9 goal debacle does Ovechkin only get 1?

Lars Eller got 2! Lars. Eller.

MrMike · 04-12-2022, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

How? How in a 9 goal debacle does Ovechkin only get 1?

Lars Eller got 2! Lars. Eller.

All but two players had points. That’s depth.

powderjunkie · 04-13-2022, 07:10 PM

Ovi's 33 yo season is already tied (w/Jagr and Bobby Hull) for the 2nd oldest guy to score 50 (though his 48g in the 68gp COVID stoppage year should essentially have him outright 2nd).

4 more goals will see him set a new record at age 36 over Johnny Bucyk who managed the feat at age 35.

4 goals would put him at 780 (114 away from Wayne). He's got 118 so far in the last 3 seasons despite playing just 184 games (82x3=246).

(4 more) + 43 +38 +33 would get him to 894.

Hack&Lube · 04-13-2022, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Not wanting to derail AOs amazing accomplishment but for those calling for his head about his Putin stance, some new information is coming to light.

Being on this side of the world, Ovechkin now has access to different forms of media that show the other side of the war. His public image may be being controlled out of fear for the safety of his family. Please see: https://www.google.com/amp/s/novacap...ys-safety/amp/

Apologies to the mods if this has been posted already. If this is indeed true, then I feel sorry for Ovi.

Russians living in North America and with the wealth and access to information of hockey players have no excuse. It's not like they are Babushka's with only the state media available on their village TV.

Panarin and Zadorov have both stated anti-putin positions and Z has been pro Ukraine at the dome.

Ovechkin's Instagram profile picture is still him posing with Putin and that sends a message.