United States contemplating potential deportation of Ovechkin as a means of putting pressure on Putin.
In a thrilling moment at the UBS Arena in New York on April 6, 20XX, Russian hockey legend Alexander Ovechkin made history by scoring his 895th goal in regular NHL seasons, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's long-standing record. The goal, a power play strike, came during the second period of the game against the New York Islanders, with assists from Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome.
Amidst the celebrations, speculation surrounding Ovechkin's status as a prominent Russian player in the NHL has been swirling. Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that, in the months leading up to a prisoner exchange in August 2024, the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden considered the possibility of deporting Russian players, including Ovechkin, from the U.S. as a means of putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, it is important to note that there is no credible information or evidence that the Biden administration ever considered deporting Russian NHL players, including Alexander Ovechkin, as a means of pressuring Putin for a prisoner exchange. Recent events concerning the Biden administration and Russia do not mention any such proposals or actions.
Prior to this record-breaking goal, Ovechkin had announced that he would display the stick with which he broke Gretzky's record for one day. The prisoner exchange, involving American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, took place in August 2024.
Despite the speculation, Sullivan, the individual who reportedly discussed this option, ultimately abandoned the idea of deporting Russian players from the U.S. Ovechkin's extraordinary career continues, with 897 goals in regular seasons and 974 goals including playoffs, making him one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
In light of the prisoner exchange in August 2024, ongoing discussions about deporting Russian NHL players, such as Alexander Ovechkin, have been debated. Yet, it's crucial to clarify that there's no credible evidence supporting the claim that the Biden administration ever planned to deport Russian NHL players as a means of pressuring Putin. As of now, Ovechkin's exceptional hockey career, including his 897 regular season goals and 974 goals in total (including playoffs), solidifies his position as one of the top hockey players in history.
