Alex Ovechkin says he plans on playing for Russia in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, regardless of whether or not the NHL is participating.

The Capitals star made similar comments ahead of the Sochi Games when the NHL and NHL Players' Association hadn't yet signed off on those Olympics before finally doing just that, with Ovechkin saying he'd risk NHL suspension to play in his home Olympics.

Asked Thursday by ESPN if he would be willing to play in South Korea regardless of the NHL's ultimate Olympic decision, Ovechkin didn't hesitate.