Chatting with Alex Ovechkin about his 'weeks' of injury rehab

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(Update 6:45 p.m. EST: The Capitals have released a statement regarding the interview below: "The Washington Capitals dispute the validity of this report.")

Injured Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin (notes) was watching Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers with Mike Green (notes) (also injured) in one of the rooms of the Verizon Center the press box.

He later met with some young fans outside of the locker room to sign some autographs. That's when I got the chance to ask him a few questions about his "upper body injury" and his journey back from it.

Keep in mind Ovechkin didn't indicate if the following "diagnosis" was from team doctors or his own evaluation.

Q. You're in good mood. Are you getting better?

OVECHKIN: I am better. But I will miss 4-5 weeks.

Are you serious?

I actually plan on starting practice on the ice next week.

I know that you did skate already.

Yes, but after I did that the doctors told me not to do that yet. And not to have a stick in my hands.

How do you feel about this all?

I think that it shouldn't be rushed. November has just begun. I need to heal up 100 percent and then play. There is no need to risk right now.

What's it like to watch the Capitals from the sidelines?

Of course it's tough. I want to be in the game. But there is nothing I can do.

Not long ago the Russian National team coach called you. To wish you well?

Yes, Vyacheslav Bykov called to ask how things were. But actually our conversation was right before the game against Columbus when I got injured...

Really? Maybe Bykov shouldn't call you anymore?

It's just a coincidence. Let him call me more often! It's great to know that national team coaches follow you. Once again, I was included in the list of 50 candidates for the Olympics, and a big thanks for that.

I met your friends outside who came over from Moscow to visit you...

They thought they'd see me play. And they see me amongst the injured. So they will have no hockey, but just a vacation in America. It's not that bad too, don't you agree?

This interview also ran on SovSport.ru this afternoon.

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1. Posted by Jay-Jay Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:06 pm EST
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well, [profane], that's a long tome to be missing the best player in the world
2. Posted by Leon Black Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:12 pm EST
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4-5 weeks? Gah! There goes my fantasy team.
3. Posted by Justin K Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:33 pm EST
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Eh, kind of a dull interview, not like most of the Russian ones. Don't forget, Ovechkin said 4-5. That could be his doctors, or it could be him being hopeful. We all know he would do anything to be out there right now and that he doesn't listen to authority, even regarding his health.
4. Posted by Johnny Appleseed Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:51 pm EST
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It's official: The next month or so will be a black hole for scoring. Bet the under on every game, and you have a little extra spending money for Christmas.
5. Posted by Spock Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:05 pm EST
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If OV has a left shoulder injury (as the media is saying), that's a funny way to show it. My guess would be more like a pectoral muscle or rib injury.
6. Posted by upton.shipley Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:06 pm EST
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Hello thats Ovechkin having fun. He is not out for 5 weeks!
7. Posted by DFE1 Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:17 pm EST
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Agree with Upton.Shipley, Ovi is just joking around.
8. Posted by Kanay D Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:32 pm EST
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This is actually a good thing. It's a test to see how well the Caps can do without him and how they can improve their game without him in the lineup since it's no secret that any player out there could suffer a season ending injury at any given moment. I hope Ovie comes back soon, he's entertaining to watch.
9. Posted by Jay-Jay Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:55 pm EST
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can we edit our scehule to play the panthers every night until ov comes back?
10. Posted by Nick E Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:04 pm EST
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dont look past the fact that the caps put up seven goals on the panthers last night, without the great 8
11. Posted by Oprah Winfrey's #1 Fan Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:16 pm EST
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if you look at this post under blogs it says chatting with Alex Ovechkin about his wee good job!
12. Posted by Fox Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:20 pm EST
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@Justin: sometimes you can schedule an interview, and sometimes you take the hallway chat when the chance presents itself. Just say thanks and move along.
13. Posted by Jason G Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:20 pm EST
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He's resting up for ther Olympics.
14. Posted by Ben Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:23 pm EST
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maybe you shouldnt bet the under, since the caps have scored 11 goals in the 2 games he's missed so far. and he'll probably be back in 3 weeks anyways
15. Posted by Orange_and_Black Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:28 pm EST
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Caps are a strong team this year, they will do fine the next 4 - 5 weeks. Semin will come around and we'll see plenty of goals from Fleischmann, Knuble, and Laich.
16. Posted by Carry H Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:34 pm EST
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watch the vicious hit that put him out at ..... www.HockeyGames.TV
17. Posted by Thomas K Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:35 pm EST
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The Blue Jackets are injuring everyone!
18. Posted by bvblackduck Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:51 pm EST
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With ovey gone, the leafs will dominate the east even if/when he does return! the "monster" and kessel rule!!! go leafs go!
19. Posted by Nick O Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:57 pm EST
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Blue jacket's rule- knock everyone out !!! that will help us win the stanley cup this season
20. Posted by acassells Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:01 pm EST
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he was joking
21. Posted by habs1rule Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:25 pm EST
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Did Alexander hurt the Upper or Lower Volga.!!
22. Posted by Dutch Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:29 pm EST
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The Russian Coach called and the only thing frickin' asked was "You're playing in the Olympics right"!? Ovechkin, Malkin, Gonchar, Kovalchuk all on the shelf, good thing for the Rus this is November not February.
23. Posted by guinnesscrazy Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:14 pm EST
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1. Ovie joking. No way he's out 4-5 weeks. More like 1 week add'l at the most. 2. Ovie in or out; doesn't matter a whole lot right now... the Caps' biggest concern should be their defensive efforts. Even when they win, they lose on defense. No shutouts this year, and there should have been a few. The goalies are good enough, but without more forceful defensive pressure, it's going to be the Caps' achilles heel way more than missing Ovechkin will ever be.
The Caps happen to have a better offense than most other teams (best in the league arguably with OV in the lineup) and can win a lot of games because of it - but the only way the Caps get close to the cup is if they acquire a talented D-man by the deadline (and I'm not talking Mike Green - good goal scorer, not a great defenseman). I could just hope they play better on D, but it's been a problem for the last several years. Once we post some shutouts and learn how to put other teams away, then and only then will the Caps be ready to make the next step into Finals territory.
24. Posted by guinnesscrazy Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:15 pm EST
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1. Ovie joking. No way he's out 4-5 weeks. More like 1 week add'l at the most. 2. Ovie in or out; doesn't matter a whole lot right now... the Caps' biggest concern should be their defensive efforts. Even when they win, they lose on defense. No shutouts this year, and there should have been a few. The goalies are good enough, but without more forceful defensive pressure, it's going to be the Caps' achilles heel way more than missing Ovechkin will ever be.
25. Posted by guinnesscrazy Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:15 pm EST
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The Caps happen to have a better offense than most other teams (best in the league arguably with OV in the lineup) and can win a lot of games because of it - but the only way the Caps get close to the cup is if they acquire a talented D-man by the deadline (and I'm not talking Mike Green - good goal scorer, not a great defenseman). I could just hope they play better on D, but it's been a problem for the last several years. Once we post some shutouts and learn how to put other teams away, then and only then will the Caps be ready to make the next step into Finals territory.