Ovechkin leaves to be with ailing grandfather

Truth & Rumors > NHL

Views: 1678
Comments: 12

05:54 AM ET 10.28
Share
Print It
My T&R

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin has returned to Russia to be with his ailing grandfather and will miss tonight's contest against the Nashville Predators at Verizon Center and possibly Saturday's game in Buffalo. Ovechkin's absence will end his team-best consecutive game streak at 203. Ovechkin's ailing grandfather, Nikolay Kabayev, is the 83-year-old father of Tatiana Ovechkin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in basketball. He helped care for Ovechkin when he was a boy and the two developed a close bond during Ovechkin's younger years. Kabayev has been hospitalized for about two weeks, Selinevich said, but his health took a turn for the worse in the past 48 hours and he was moved into intensive care. It was unclear what's ailing Kabayev, Selinevich sad. It's also unclear how long Ovechkin has been aware of his grandfather's failing health and whether it has affected the reigning MVP's play this season. Ovechkin is off to the slowest start of his career with two goals and three assists in eight games. Both goals came in the same game, a 4-2 victory over Chicago on Oct. 11.

Washington Post

Alex Ovechkin, AP

Comments (12) Add A Comment

October 28, 2008 07:46 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

As well he should. This is a non news item. If he is that close to his grandfather he should be there.

darkstorm

Rimersburg , PA

Total Comments (465)

October 28, 2008 08:13 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Agreed darkstorm...This is not news. Family is always more important.

LGP: Stanley Cup…

Six Burgh, PA

Total Comments (9095)

October 28, 2008 10:48 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

It's not a questioning of his choice, but it is news nonetheless that he will be out of the lineup. You can bet that Alex's absence, however long, does change the dynamic of the team. But no, no one blames him for leaving to be with his family.

santapig

Kansas City , MO

Total Comments (1271)

October 28, 2008 11:15 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Go Preds.

GoldenDoopBox

Nashville , TN

Total Comments (331)

October 28, 2008 11:55 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

"Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin has returned to Russia to be with his ailing grandfather..."

We've gotten used to equating "returning to Russia" with something bad when it comes to NHL players but ..... there are exceptions, and this is one of them. Life's too short and family is too important to ignore. Good for Alex. Good to see he's got his priorities right.

DCruiser

Barrington , IL

Total Comments (4875)

October 28, 2008 12:41 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

He should absolutely go. With the way that Alexander Semin in playing this season, he won't do too much damage by leaving for a few games. Hopefully being close to family will help him and he'll come back rested and hungry.

Get To Da Choppa!

Total Comments (221)

October 28, 2008 01:38 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Class act! The more I follow this guy, the more I like him!

cmh_phx

Tempe , AZ

Total Comments (1247)

October 28, 2008 01:39 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

What, no Sundin news?

ORANGE AND BLACK

Total Comments (668)

October 28, 2008 06:19 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

What makes this news is that he has no time limit in which to return to the team. I'm putting him out of the lineup for at least 2 weeks and a month on the high end.

cjewart

Pittsburgh , PA

Total Comments (217)

October 29, 2008 12:53 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Take your time Alex. Your team will keep it together in your absence.

Last Call

Barstool, PA

Total Comments (1379)

October 30, 2008 04:12 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

love the way the guy plays the game, jus like a lil kid like favre.

OVECHKIN ....
FAVRE....

Hero's forever!- GREAT on AND off the field!!

De[10]Rossi

Total Comments (849)

October 31, 2008 11:43 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Our prayers here in Caniac nation for you and your family... Everything I have ever heard about Ovechkin is positive, like how he shows up in hockey rings in DC and teaches children how to play... I hope that your grandfather recovers promptly