Alexander Ovechkin: I once punched Malkin’s agent in a club in Moscow

Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin spoke about his attitude to the KHL and his relations with another Russian star Yevgeny Malkin in an interview with ESPN.

«Have you ever thought about playing in the KHL?»

«In the league, no. I have a contract. I’m happy with everything here.»

«But have you thought about it?»

«Well, I’ll play out my contract, and we’ll see what will happen.»

«In the last year of your contract you will be 36 years old. How will Ovechkin play at 36?»

«I don’t know how I’m going to play tomorrow. (Laughs) I never look forward. I live for today. And if you think about what’s going to happen in a year, in two years, then you begin to plan. And plans never come true.»

«Is the success of the KHL important to you?»

«Well, of course. It’s my native league. I played in it too, and my team plays there, my friends. If there’s no league, many hockey players will be out of work. The growth of the KHL is a very important aspect for the development of Russian sports.»

«Should the best players be playing in the NHL?»

«Everyone makes their own choice about where they want to play. I want to play here. If I wanted to play there, I wouldn’t have come here in the first season when I was 19 years old.»

«You and Malkin are friends again, I see. How did your feud start? You punched his agent in a club in Moscow?»

«Yes, that’s right. But that was a long time ago.»