Has Ovechkin Played His Last Game For Russia?

After the IIHF declared that Russia and Belarus will still be excluded from any future international hockey events, it looks like the final nail in the coffin on the international stage for many of the NHL biggest stars, including Alex Ovechkin.

Due to the conflict in Russia and Belarus, both nations were excluded by the IIHF and banned from any men's, women's, or junior tournaments in the future. Russia and Belarus have been banned from all tournaments since 2022 following their invasion of Ukraine, which meant Finland would take their place as the next ‘best on best’ opponent. 

But after a recent debate regarding Russia and Belarus’s re-inclusion, the IIHF decided ‘it's not yet safe’ for them to compete in tournaments, and will continue to measure the safety condition to re-debate in 2026.

But what exactly does this mean for the NHL, and future international tournaments? Well, following the decision to deny Russia a chance at returning to the IIHF, it looks like a number of the NHL’s biggest stars could never be seen playing for their nation again. One big example is the Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin. The 39 year old Russian winger has represented his country 16 times on the international stage, putting on a Russia jersey ever since he was 17, but we may have already seen his final ever performance in a Russia jersey without even realising.

With Russia being out of contention for any international tournaments until at least 2027, it's highly unlikely that Ovi will lace up when he turns 43, and the 2019 world championships may be the last time Ovi will represent his nation. 

It would've been almost certain that Russia would be named in the four nations faceoff tournament which starts next week, but with the ban, one of the best hockey nations were snubbed for Finland, and will likely never get the chance of competing in a best on best tournament again.

But not only will Ovechkin be one of the NHL’s greatest players to never get another chance of representing their nation, but the Penguins Evgeni Malkin also will likely never play for Russia again. Malkin, similarly to Ovechkin, has done some great things for his nation, but will never get the chance to win another gold medal with Russia, and has likely seen his international career come to an abrupt end.

It's sad to see these players leave the international team, and a bit of a bummer to see a great hockey nation like Russia, filled with hundreds of stars be excluded from these events. Personally, I believe hockey shouldn'

t be made political, but if they are allowed to come back in 2027, Russia will come back strong, with names like Ivan Demidov and Matvei Michkov, being only a few of the names, who can lead the next great wave of Russian hockey.