Hockey News: Ovechkin to Play in 2018 Olympics; More on Adidas Jerseys

Here are the stories catching our eyes for Thursday, Aug. 20:

Alex Ovechkin has stated that he will play in the 2018 Olympics, no matter what the NHL decides. [Stars and Sticks]

The superstar said he would be “very happy” if the Capitals signed his best friend, Russian defenseman Ilya Nikulin. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

Bridgestone has discontinued their sponsorship of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. [Puck Daddy]

The Jets’ Blake Wheeler feels that jersey ads would “tarnish” the experience of wearing an NHL sweater. [CBC.ca]

An NHL uniform is a sacred thing and it's an honor to wear one. Putting corporate sponsors on the front would tarnish that. Don't do it

— Blake Wheeler (@BiggieFunke) August 18, 2015

Whether you like it or not, NHL jerseys will have ads at some point. [For The Win] Flyers jerseys could have a strange new look when Adidas takes over. [Broad Street Hockey] The term “It’s a business” applies to more than just trades and contracts. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]

How much will Andrew Ladd’s next contract be? [Winnipeg Sun]

Sidney Crosby played goalie for a Penguins’ employees’ dek hockey team. [CBS Sports]

Patrice Bergeron ranked in at No. 20 on The Hockey News’ top-50 players list. [NESN]

There’s a California Seals documentary on its way. [SI.com]

Here’s the best team that the $71.4 million salary cap can buy. [Today’s Slapshot]

Seguin won’t get into talks about his former team in Boston. [The Score]