Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin celebrates a goal against the Bruins during Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., April 22, 2012. (JASON REED/Reuters)
Russian star Alex Ovechkin criticized the NHL on Tuesday for the demands it is making during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
"It's not fair for us," the Washington Capitals forward told CSNWashington.com on Tuesday.
"(The owners) still make money. They still sell tickets and they have money ... they sign us to long-term deals and that kind of money and when the CBA is done they want to cut our salary? Why do they want to cut 20% (through increased escrow payments)?
"If they're going to cut a percentage of the contracts and years, I don't think lots of guys who sign American deals are going to come back and play here. It's not reasonable to be here. You have to think of your future. You have to think of your family."
