Ovechkin Responds To Low Ranking On Top-100 List, Discusses Russia

Ovechkin had been ranked No. 34 by PuckEmpire, a popular hockey Instagram account, and also got a No. 70 ranking from Action Network’s Chase McCallum.

The Great 8 responded to the low numbers, as members of the new generation like Connor McDavid, Cale Makar and Auston Matthews ranked much higher.

“It’s such a rating,” Ovechkin said, per sports.ru. “We need to ask them.”

READ MORE ON WHN: Why Washington Capitals Didn’t Sign Star Like Kadri & Why It’s Right Call

Ovechkin is coming off one of the best years of his career. He dished 50 goals for a record ninth time, and also added 40 assists for his first 90-point campaign in over a decade. Back in March, he passed Jaromir Jagr for sole possession of third on the NHL’s all-time goals list while also becoming the highest-scoring European NHLer of all time.

He is 115 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. He must average 29 goals per season over the next four seasons to hit 895 within the terms of the extension he signed back in July 2021.

In addition to responding to his rankings, Ovechkin also discussed his return to Russia amid recent situations surrounding NHLers and pro hockey players like Kirill Kaprizov and Ivan Fedotov.

“I come to Russia every time at the end of the season. That’s how it will continue,” Ovechkin said to sports.ru.

Regarding a return to his home nation after his contract ends, the Moscow native said, “we’ll see later.”