Another European star facing serious trouble with his home country

Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin had several of his Russian bank accounts frozen after failing to submit tax returns back home, according to multiple Russian outlets.

The Federal Taxation Service (FNS) reportedly sanctioned Ovechkin when declarations connected to his «individual entrepreneur» registration were not filed since 2023. As a result, Russian authorities systematically blocked five accounts between 2023 and July 2025.

While it sounds alarming, officials told Match TV earlier this month that the problem was more paperwork than scandal.

For Ovechkin, who has earned over $161 million in his NHL career, the hiccup is more embarrassing than financially threatening.

The Great 8 has long admitted he doesn't obsess over his wealth. «I don't even know [how much money I have],» he said in 2024. «If I had 100 million, I would be relaxing and drinking beer right now.»

The timing of this incident draws attention, coming just days after Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen was reported to be facing a nearly $99,000 fine in Finland for delaying mandatory military service. In both cases, NHL superstars are making headlines not for goals and assists, but for clashes with rules back home.

Ovechkin's situation, though less severe, highlights how even minor bureaucratic errors can escalate when it involves high-profile athletes.

Like Rantanen's case in Finland, the issue quickly exploded into national coverage, with Russian headlines calling it everything from to

For the Capitals captain, the distraction comes as he prepares for another NHL season and his continued chase of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record.

Personally, I think this story will be remembered as an accounting blunder more than a crisis, but it shows how quickly off-ice problems can make stars look vulnerable.

Fans can read more at Yahoo Sports on Dallas' own Rantanen saga and at Sportsnet for NHL coverage that shows how off-ice headlines can shift fast.