September 18, 2026

Mark Twain tells us that every country has enough good people to form a republic if given the chance, even Russia. It just so happens that Alex Ovechkin isn't one of them. The news that we got today came as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to Ovechkin's actions over the last decade or so.

Some will claim he has no choice because of the power Putin has over Ovechkin's friends and family. I get that argument, but at the same time neutrality is preferable to participation.