During a relaxed conversation with former NHL forwards Nikita Filatov and Andrey Arshavin, Alex Ovechkin let slip a surprising confession: Mario Lemieux tops his personal list of all‑time favorite players, a choice that caught many off guard given their on‑ice rivalry.
Lemieux’s career numbers read like a Hall of Fame résumé — 1,723 points, including 690 goals and 1,033 assists in just 915 games, two Stanley Cups, three MVP awards and six scoring titles, culminating in his 1997 induction.
A Gift Across the Boards
The two legends met only once, in the 2005‑06 season, when Lemieux presented Ovechkin with a game‑used stick as a token of respect. Yet, despite the gesture, Lemieux never publicly congratulated Ovechkin on his later milestones, leaving the exchange as a quiet footnote in their histories.
Over the years, the fierce competition between Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby has softened into a genuine friendship, a transformation that reflects the evolving narratives of two of hockey’s most iconic careers.
Ovechkin has also spoken of his earlier admiration for Owen Nolan, whose loyalty to the San Jose Sharks left a lasting impression, a sentiment that has since been eclipsed by his reverence for Lemieux’s legacy.
The storied rivalry between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, once centered on the Ovechkin‑Crosby duel, has gradually faded, allowing both franchises to focus on their own paths while sharing a mutual respect for the game’s history.