There will be no doubt as to where the tomb of Alexander the Great II will be, or where he will see out the twilight of his career. But has one of the greatest modern Russian hockey stars been forced from the heady heights of the National Hockey League too soon?

When Alexander Ovechkin appeared in an election promo video for the United Russia party, I questioned his reasoning. I wasn’t alone. An NHL beat reporter posted in a WhatsApp group chat “Ovi’s about to quit Caps.” Of the other 30 North American sports reporters in there with me, all speculated as to his next move, while also worrying about the backlash. There wasn’t long to wait.

The Ukraine troll farms ignited the fire that burned all the way into US media and Russophobic elements, and reached Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. Leonsis, who also owns the Washington Wizards NBA franchise, refused to buckle to pressure from the US sports press corps, backing his star man to the hilt.

The Greek-origin billionaire has always been protective of Ovechkin and his other Russian........

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