Hockey

“He’s Just a Machine”: Darius Kasparaitis on Training With Alex Ovechkin

Published: Feb 17, 2025, 11:37 AM
5 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 6:47 AM
Fact checked by:
Marco D'Amico
Darius Kasparaitis and Alex Ovechkin training in Miami

Darius Kasparaitis and Alex Ovechkin training in Miami (Photo by Darius Kasparaitis exclusively for RG)

Alex Ovechkin has never been one to back down from a challenge. As he inches closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, the Washington Capitals’ captain is as determined as ever—not just to etch his name atop the NHL’s scoring list, but to add another Stanley Cup to his legacy.

Recently, former NHL defenseman Darius Kasparaitis trained alongside Ovechkin, offering a rare glimpse into the Russian superstar’s mindset as he prepares for another grueling season.

No Pressure, Just Hockey

Kasparaitis, known for his own hard-nosed playing style, was struck by Ovechkin’s composure as he continues his chase for NHL immortality.

“We trained with Sasha in the gym and on the ice several times. He is in a good mood. He does not think about any records, he just plays hockey,” Kasparaitis shared exclusively to RG. “It seems that he does not feel any pressure from the need to break Gretzky's record, he just plays as he has played his whole life.”

With just a few seasons left before he turns 40, Ovechkin is embracing his experience and the balance it brings.

“He will be 40 this year, so he is an experienced guy. He knows how to work and how to relax. This is not the Ovechkin of 20 years ago. He will calmly score the necessary goals and break the record. There is no doubt about it.”

The Evolution of a Hockey Machine

Kasparaitis has witnessed Ovechkin’s journey firsthand, dating back to their time together at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. Even then, Ovechkin’s potential was undeniable.x

“At that moment, I saw a young, cheerful guy with a good sense of humor. He instantly became part of the team,” Kasparaitis recalled. “He was a young player with great potential, but no one knew, of course, that he could do something like this. Gretzky's goal record seemed eternal at that moment.”

Over the years, Ovechkin has continued to defy expectations. Kasparaitis credits his rare physical gifts for his longevity and continued dominance.

“He has complex natural abilities. He is very strong. I still don't understand how you can beat him on the ice. He’s just a machine,” he said. “Eric Lindros didn't seem as big to me as Ovechkin seems now. A monster.”

A Stanley Cup and a Historic Record?

While all eyes are on Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s 894 goals, the Capitals forward isn’t satisfied with just rewriting the record books. He still has his sights set on winning another championship.

“Sasha and I laughed — I told him: ‘Now you are going for Gretzky's record, and you can also win the Stanley Cup.’ He replied: ‘Yeah, that would be cool,’” Kasparaitis revealed.

Kasparaitis believes the Capitals have a real shot at contending this season, though he also has his eyes on another team with championship aspirations.

“I think the favorites this year are Washington and Toronto. I want the Maple Leafs to win a Stanley Cup for the first time in over 60 years.”

With Ovechkin’s drive and the Capitals’ ambition, hockey fans could witness history on two fronts—a new goal-scoring king and a potential second Stanley Cup for one of the game’s greatest players. One thing is certain: Ovechkin isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Head of News Department
Sergey Demidov is Head of News at RG.org and has covered global sports since 2007. His work spans the Olympics, FIFA World Cups, IOC events, and Stanley Cup Finals. A former sports department deputy chief editor at Gazeta.Ru and TASS News Agency, and current senior editor at NHL.com/ru, Sergey has interviewed stars like Alex Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr, former WADA and FIFA presidents Craig Reedy and Sepp Blatter, and coaches like Fabio Capello. He specializes in hockey and publishes in English and Russian.
Interests:
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James Murphy
James Murphy
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James Murphy is a veteran sports journalist covering the NHL, NCAA and CHL hockey for RG.

With 25 years of experience covering the Bruins, the NHL, NCAA, CHL and more, Murphy has seen it all when it comes to hockey. His hockey black book is filled with Hall of Famers, current players, coaches, management, scouts and a diverse array of hockey media personalities who have lived and worked in and around the game. Murphy also currently co-hosts The Eye Test podcast with Pierre McGuire and, along with McGuire, interviews NHL owners and executives, as well as NHL and NCAA head coaches and players daily.

The Arlington, Massachusetts, native began his writing career in hockey in 2001, when the Boston Bruins raised one of his childhood idols, Ray Bourque’s No. 77, to the rafters before their 2001–02 season opener. For 22 of his 25 years as a hockey reporter, Murphy covered the Bruins daily, including their victorious 2011 Stanley Cup run and their runs to the 2013 and 2019 Finals, multiple NHL drafts and countless Stanley Cup playoffs. He did all that for the Boston Metro, NHL.com, NESN.com and ESPN Boston.

In addition to his print work covering the Bruins, Murphy also made regular TV appearances on NESN, Fox 25 Boston, ESPN and NHL Network. From 2008 to 2012, Murphy hosted The Hockey Primetime Show on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and made numerous appearances on national and international radio shows.

Ironically, his three years not covering the Bruins were spent covering their archrivals, the Montreal Canadiens. From 2012 to 2015, Murphy was based in Montreal and covered the Canadiens for NHL.com and TSN.ca. He also appeared regularly on TSN 690 radio and CTV.

Murphy returned to Boston in 2015 and left the media business to work in sales and marketing for LiveBarn, a Montreal-based sports streaming company, for four years. In 2019, Murphy once again became a Bruins beat reporter, this time writing for Boston Hockey Now. He spent four seasons working for BHN before arriving at RG in 2024 and also dedicated more time to The Eye Test podcast.

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