Spencer Carbery speaks on his relationship with Alex Ovechkin and what they talk about behind the scenes
Spencer Carbery was a guest on “The Drop” podcast, Monday. The NHL’s reigning head coach of the year addressed a variety of topics with ESPN’s Arda Ocal and Greg Wyshynski, including his time in Hershey and his evolution as a bench boss over the years.
The most important subject Carbery discussed, however, was his relationship with Alex Ovechkin. Carbery revealed that he makes it a point to speak with the Capitals captain frequently, and for reasons more than one might think.
“I’ll talk to him. It won’t be, ‘Hey, do you feel like you feel good enough to play next year?’ But it’ll be like almost daily, ‘How are you feeling? How are you feeling physically, mentally? Where are you at?’” Carbery said. “I have a lot of conversations with him almost daily when we’re here, as long as it’s not an off day. And sometimes on off days, we’ll have some of our most productive conversations over the phone because you have a little bit more time on those days.
The pair’s closeness appears to benefit the Caps greatly. Ovechkin’s productivity defied expectations during his age 38 and 39 seasons, scoring 31 goals after a slow start in 2023-24 and 44 times in 2024-25. After an offseason in 2024 that saw the Capitals bring in eight new players, Ovechkin and Carbery helped assimilate the group quickly, and the club prospered as a result, coming out of nowhere to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference standings last season.
“I think I would point to, first and foremost, our leadership group and Alex, John Carlson, Tom Wilson,” Carbery said. “And even I would go back to TJ Oshie and Nick Backstrom (who) recently have both moved on. But they’ve laid a foundation here. And so it’s kind of carried on of when new people come into our team. And this is, it was great when I came here. I’m like, ‘Yes, this is exactly how I would do it as well as a coach and a player.’ So this meshes perfectly. We do everything we possibly can, the players, the leadership group, and then myself and our staff, to make a player feel as comfortable as possible and as quickly as we can.
“And then make the expectations as clear and laid out as possible. That’s through communication and that’s through myself building a relationship and the players building a relationship with new guys, whether it’s a young player, whether we’ve acquired a player in a trade. And that’s, I think, what we take a lot of pride in, because we know, and I know, if ‘Joe Smith’ comes to the Washington Capitals and feels completely comfortable and knows exactly what’s expected of him and what he has to do on the ice, we’re going to get the best ‘Joe Smith’ we possibly can get. And that’s how we approach each individual player. And like I said, I think the players do and our leadership group does an amazing job of that. And then we try to replicate that as coaches as well.”
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Carbery knows there is a possibility this could end up being Ovechkin’s final year in the NHL. After having a front row seat to Ovechkin’s goals chase last season, Carbery admitted that he appreciates how the Russian superstar is handling questions about his future. While he believes The Great 8 is genuinely unsure what his next steps are, Carbery hopes Ovi’s decision to wait until the end of the season before making a decision minimizes the amount of distractions both he and the team has to endure.
“It would bring an element of [attention] in every building, especially when you go and play the Western teams where it would be the last time, you know, definitively that he ever goes into those arenas,” Carbery said. “No doubt. I can’t deny that. And so, you know, we just don’t know what the future holds. If he’s left it open and certainly as an organization, as a coach, you’re like, ‘Heck yeah, as many more years as you possibly can play.’ But we respect Alex so much and what he’s done in this organization.
“So when the time comes to make a decision on his future, he will. And I bet, too, a lot of it will have to do with how the year goes and at his age. And, you know, he’s just coming back from an injury right now in training camp, so hopefully he gets up and running. So I think that’s kind of the way that he’s, from my conversations with him, is he wants to see how the year goes, how he feels physically, mentally going through the grind and see where he’s at.”
BREAKING: "FOOTBALL IS NOT A PERFORMANCE" — Jonathan Taylor’s Fiery Response to Bad Bunny’s SNL Line Stuns NFL
"WE'RE HERE TO PLAY, NOT TO BE ENTERTAINERS. FOOTBALL IS ABOUT HARD WORK, NOT FLASH."
The line between entertainment and football was further blurred when global superstar Bad Bunny made a bold statement on Saturday Night Live, telling the audience, “If you don’t understand what I just said, you’ve got four months to learn.” While the comment was aimed at encouraging his fans to embrace his music, it quickly stirred controversy — especially in the sports world, where the true essence of competition is often overshadowed by flashy performances.
One player who wasted no time in reacting to the comment was Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor. Known for his workhorse mentality and relentless style on the field, Taylor was quick to speak up, delivering a no-holds-barred response that immediately grabbed attention. “We’re here to play, not to be entertainers. Football is about hard work, not flash,” Taylor said with a focused intensity. “This is a game built on discipline, sacrifice, and grit. We earn everything on that field. It’s not a stage for a performance.”
Taylor’s strong words hit home for many in the NFL, where the line between spectacle and sportsmanship is sometimes hard to define. As one of the league’s premier running backs, Taylor’s stance on this issue carries significant weight. His no-nonsense approach to the game has made him a fan favorite in Indianapolis, and his comments sparked a wave of support from teammates and players across the league who shared his sentiment.
“Football is real. It’s not about how many views you get or who’s performing at halftime. It’s about respect for the game,” said one anonymous Colts player. “Jonathan’s right. We’re here to grind, to give everything for the team, and to prove ourselves every week.”
Taylor’s comments come at a critical time for the Colts, who have had a rocky start to their season. With a focus on getting their offense back on track, Taylor’s leadership and commitment to the team will be crucial in determining their success moving forward. His strong stance against the commercialization of the sport highlights the passion and dedication of players who still see football as more than just an entertainment vehicle.
While Bad Bunny’s remark was a playful challenge to his fans, Taylor’s response reflects the deeply rooted culture of discipline that exists in the NFL. In a league where physical and mental toughness are paramount, players like Taylor are dedicated to keeping the integrity of the game intact, regardless of the surrounding distractions.
As the Colts continue their push for success, Taylor’s message will undoubtedly resonate in the locker room and among fans, reminding everyone that the heart of football lies in the effort and sacrifice that players make — not in the spectacle or the fame.
With his eyes firmly set on the field, Taylor remains focused on what truly matters: the game. And for the Colts, that mentality is exactly what they need to turn their season around.
The question remains: Can the NFL continue to balance entertainment with the integrity of the game? Jonathan Taylor’s answer is clear — football is about hard work, not flash.
