Campbell's Cuts: Ovechkin's Hart-worthy, playoff bound or not
Alex Ovechkin has 62 goals and 109 points in 79 games this season. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ken Campbell
2008-03-31 14:06:07
When Mario Lemieux stopped Wayne Gretzky’s run of consecutive Hart Trophies at eight 20 years ago, there was no moral indignation, no raucous debate on the merits of awarding the most prestigious individual award to a non-playoff participant.
In fact, even the man whose streak was interrupted tipped his hat to Lemieux and was so certain he would come away empty handed he made alternate holiday plans for that night with his bride-to-be Janet Jones.
Twenty years later, those who would deny Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals the MVP award if his team doesn’t make the playoffs should also be lobbying for a recount on Lemieux, for Andy Bathgate to be stripped of the award in 1958-59 and for Al Rollins to have his name scratched out from the 1953-54 plaque.
And you don’t have to look even that far back for a precedent. In 2002, Jarome Iginla finished second to Jose Theodore in the closest voting in Hart history, ostensibly because the Calgary Flames missed the playoffs. Looking back, it was a huge blunder and a perfect example of the perils of basing individual success solely on team accomplishments.
Lemieux, Bathgate and Rollins are the only three players in NHL history who have won the Hart Trophy on non-playoff teams.
They’re also all worthy Hall of Famers. And if they were found deserving of the honors – and they were – why not Ovechkin?
Bathgate and Rollins won the award in seasons when 67 percent of the league’s teams made the playoffs and Lemieux was MVP when 76.2 percent of teams qualified for the post-season.
(Rollins was an interesting case. He was the goalie for the Chicago Black Hawks, who were terrible and finished dead last that season. He won just 12 games, but five of them were shutouts.)
So now that just 53.3 percent of the league makes the playoffs, should we simply ignore the other 46.7 percent? Think about it. Using that logic, almost half the league would automatically be ignored.
If a player whose team doesn’t make the playoffs shouldn’t even be considered for the Hart, then how logical is it to award the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP to a player whose team didn’t win the Stanley Cup?
That’s absurd, particularly when it comes to the case of Ovechkin, a deserving serious Hart candidate if ever there were one. This is not Ted Kennedy in 1955 receiving the award ostensibly as a retirement present. Ovechkin has been MVP worthy regardless of how you define the award.
The debate over whether Ovechkin deserves to be considered for the Hart Trophy cuts to the very heart of how the MVP bauble has been interpreted over the years.
In the NHL’s official definition the Hart is awarded to “the player who is adjudged to be most valuable to his team,” but let’s face it, it has evolved into the award for the best player in the league.
By either definition, Ovechkin deserves his due.
Is there anyone in the hockey world who would not consider Ovechkin one of the best players on the planet? And if so, why should he be penalized just because he plays on a bad team?
And those who believe it should go to the true MVP would have a near-impossible time arguing the Capitals wouldn’t be playing for a lottery pick this season if not for Ovechkin.
(“Then he’s actually hurting them,” THN colleague Mike Brophy said during a recent meeting when our staff was discussing the subject. Good point, Broph.)
The fact is Ovechkin has put together a phenomenal season and the Capitals missing or making the post-season by the thinnest of margins shouldn’t make a bit of difference.
Ovechkin leads the league in scoring and all he was doing was scoring big goals.
The most important goals in hockey are the first one of the game, one that puts your team ahead, one that pulls your team into a tie and a game-winner.
Ovechkin has a combined total of 51 of those, including shootout goals. That leads the league by a comfortable margin and with a combined total of 90 points on those goals, he trails only Joe Thornton (106) and Pavel Datsyuk (100) in that department.
The only difference is, by virtue of the strength of their teams, Thornton and Datsyuk get a lot more opportunities to score those kinds of goals than Ovechkin does.
With 109 points on 231 total goals for the Capitals, Ovechkin has contributed to 47.2 percent of Washington’s offensive output this season.
His 62 goals represent 26.8 percent of the Caps’ goals. Both marks are best in the NHL this season.
Compare that to Lemieux in 1988, who scored 21.9 percent of Pittsburgh’s goals and had a hand in 52.7 percent of them. When Bathgate took MVP honors in 1959, he scored 19.9 percent of the New York Rangers’ goals and contributed on 43.8 percent.
Better yet, compare it to anyone in the NHL this season. You’ll find no player has been more of a factor in his team’s offensive output than Ovechkin.
All of which makes Ovechkin a viable candidate for the Hart Trophy this season, if not a shoo-in for the award.
In a season where there is no shortage of candidates for the MVP, perhaps Ovechkin won’t win the award even if the Capitals are playing important games next week.
But to refuse to even consider him if his team doesn’t make the playoffs is just plain silly.
Ken Campbell is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Tuesdays and Fridays and his column, Campbell's Cuts, appears Mondays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
Chajnik (Posted 2008-04-09 15:51:09)
All right guys, this discussion will lead to nothing. I see that everybody has his favorite player and that is good. So guys, have fun watching your stars and be happy )))
But I have to say one thing, it does not matter whether Ovechkin will dominate the next NHL seasons. These 3 season, which he already has played were unbelievable and I am very glad to be part of it.
I would rather want to see one Ovechkin season like this year than 5 boring Crosby seasons. Just passion guys you know...just passion for the game..
cu all
Ross Doughty (Posted 2008-04-07 01:50:10)
In response to Bruce James comments on Ovechkin hitting and hitting hard, the reson you see him hitting is because he does not go into the corners first, he waits for a player to get the puck and then hits them after they have cleared the puck away. It's not like his hits ever stop a play
Ross Doughty (Posted 2008-04-07 01:43:35)
I watched the Ovechkin cam on the NHL network the other day and saw Ovechkin sitting on the bench during all short handed situations, over 5 min. on the bench straight at one point, how can he be a MVP if he does not play in the most important situations like killing penelites or at the end of a game when the Caps are holding a one goal lead. He is not even the most valuable player on his team as he can not be trusted to be on the ice when it matters. His shooting percentage is also very low compare to the top plyers in the league. One more point, Crosby missed a quarter of the season and ended it with more assists than Ovechkin, Crosby makes players areound him better Ovechkin can't even pass. Go back and watch the allstar game from 2 years ago with Crosby and Ovechkin playing together to see how bad his passing is.
Rocky (Posted 2008-04-06 19:38:27)
This is the Canadian mentality the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, meening other countries players are better, Ovechkin, Malkin, Forsberg, Lidstrom, Hasek, Jagr wish we had them!!! and granted they are great players BUT we have Lecavalier, St Louis, Pronger, Brodeur, Luongo, Crosby, Thorton, Spezza, Sakic, Neidermayer, Staal, Getzlaf, Iginla, ( who nobody thinks deserves MVP mention this year ) yah they all have their stars but not the depth we could match up player per player against any other country and all we hear about is Mats Sundin what is he going to do?? Sundin is a good player not a super star I guess if we just talked about our players that would make us arrogant!! Oh yea juring the regular season they admire the non Canadians but when a Canada cup or world championship comes around they say we better win because we have the best players Wake up Canada we do have the best players
Rocky (Posted 2008-04-06 19:02:17)
Chajnik the difference 2 years makes when you are that young is huge!! NHL experience life experience and I never was an expert but I will tell you this I would take Crosby over Ovechkin dont get me wrong I like Ovechkin but Crosby is better. Typically the Russians start their career with fire and end with a popcorn fart!! Score lots of goals and chip in the odd assist Mogilny, Bure etc and have a me me me attitude I truly hope Ovechkin and Malkin break that mold, but you have to understand that 2 years difference is huge at that age and time will show if Crosby and Ovechkin stay healthy Crosbys numbers will prevail. I like what another writer said Ovechkin is more like Messier a star / super star Crosby is a super star but between you me and the fence post I had 2nd pick they got Crosby and I got Ovechkin it would not break my heart Dude if you are from Washington and get to see Ovechkin every game count your blessings as long as Vancouver has been in the league we have never had a player with Ovechkins talent.
Dogg (Posted 2008-04-06 14:32:51)
Ovechkin should win MVP of NHL hands down A player from Pittsburg should also get a few votes I mean Malkin not Crosby
Chajnik (Posted 2008-04-06 08:13:25)
@ Rocky
Ovechkin is 22 years old, so thats to old for you ? I think, Washnigton will win the first round of the playoffs, we will see. I hope they will win, so such "experts" like you will see, that they are wrong...
Rocky (Posted 2008-04-05 22:59:41)
This was Ovechkins year He is the MVP this year and he can thank Crosby for getting hurt because that is the only way he is going to win it When Crosby is healthy he is the best player in the world and remember how old he is what were you guys doing at 20 years old?? Ovechkin is an exciting player that makes players around him better as long as they pass it to him. Washington loses the 1st round in 5 to whoever they play. Pittsburgh will be in the top 4. Crosby is just all round better player!!!
Luis Chinchilla (Posted 2008-04-04 15:07:08)
I don't think you can call the Caps a "bad" team ... we had a horrible start, but the coach and GM really made a differnce with attitude and some late season pick ups ... we are now, arguably a good team. Hopefully we can hang on to Huet and Cooke (a tremendous p/u for all the little things he does plus the fire he bring that so obviously burns hot on the ice). Federov was key too but keeping him is a bit of a gamble (not that I wouldn't take it). Anyhow, a lot to say just to rebut ...
Chajnik (Posted 2008-04-04 14:11:55)
I totally agree to "Bob".
Crosby is a superstar made by media, in his first season i did not see a supertalent.
Ok, 120 Points, one time hart trophy...so what?? Physically a total looser.
And scoring goals remains the hardest thing in hockey and nobody scores more than Ovechkin in recent years.
Bruce James (Posted 2008-04-04 14:02:19)
Has anyone checked the standings? The Caps right now have the 8th spot, thanks to their 6-game winning streak led by OV. They could, very possibly, move up to 6, or take their division and get the 3rd spot (they are even with Carolina in points, but Carolina has one more win). Its not looking good for Boston, and even Ottawa has to be worried. If Hanlon hadn't been coach for the first disasterous 21 games, no one would be debating this. But in the unlikely event that Boston, Ottawa, Carolina and Philadelphia each win all of their remaining games and the Caps lose their last game -- the only way that the Caps can be pushed out -- the Caps will be a much feared team next year. OIOW, if he doesn't win the Hart this time, you can etch the plaque with his name now for next year's award.
Bruce James (Posted 2008-04-04 13:53:09)
IMHO, Ovechkin is not only this year's MVP, but also the best left winger ever in the NHL. Not only does he score, but he hits and hits hard. I've never seen a superstar hit like him since Gordie Howe.
Bob (Posted 2008-04-04 11:18:11)
"Crosby is there with Lemieux, Gretzky, and Orr"? Putting him there after a couple of seasons, just like all the media has? Give me a freaking break. A very talented player, but come on.....If the object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent, then yeah, I think getting a lot of shots on goal is a good thing. If the pass is a better option, Ovie makes it, as anyone who has watched all his games can tell you. Please don't be so blinded by team and media bias to objectively see talent. It would be a shame for anyone not to enjoy it.
Maxime (Posted 2008-04-03 16:49:08)
Im going to side with Sandy Golden here and tell you this. Ovechkin is an insanely good player, but he absolutely can't be paired with a superstar. Crosby-Malkin works great. Should Backstrom become any better, and Lord knows he will, he's gonna want that puck a little bit more. Getting assists is fun, and seeing the team is too, but when only 1 player gets to shoot, it kinda sucks. Ovechkin is like the coach's kid on the basket-ball team in junior high, the only one who reaches 5 feeth, and the only one who is "allowed" to shoot. Ovechkin is a great passer, if he can't get to the net. Watch him go down on a 2 vs 1. 9 times outta 10, OV will take the shot...someday goalies will catch on.
Chajnik (Posted 2008-04-03 16:01:18)
Lol ))
If Crosby did not miss 30 games then we would have heaven on earth...come on...
You never know what would happen, its very easy to say he would be better that Ovechkin, but not right.
We can meet in this forum after 3 more NHL seasons , then we will see who is the bigger star. I am sure you will have an other opinion ;)
sandy golden (Posted 2008-04-03 15:30:37)
Crosby a player with no big achievement? I guess that MVP last year was no biggie, youngest player next to Gretzky to achieve it. Shows how much you know about hockey. Ove is a scorer - his playmaking is simply not on the level of Crosby or Malkin. Sorry. There is a reason when league GMs were poled recently about which player they would choose to start a franchise, they almost unanimously choose Crosby. I put Ove in the category of Mark Messier. Crosby is there with Lemieux, Gretzky and Orr. If he didn't miss 30 games with an injury this year, the MVP wouldn't even be a question. He was leading the league in scorring when he went down, he would have been leading it now. And my point about shots on goal stands - Ove shoots it everytime he gets it. If his touch was as good as Malkin's he might have 80 goals.
Chajnik (Posted 2008-04-03 13:53:11)
Ovechkin is not one dimensional. I think, at least since this season, everybody who carefully followed the games of the Capitals and the game of Alex can say that he is a playmaker of genius. He can wonderfully pass the puck, if he wants. For example you can saw it in one of the latest games, where he passed in front of the goalie to Green, who shots the goal. After the game Green was practically shocked and could not answer, how Ovechkin could see him from his position...And there are several examples of passes, which are as good as or even better that Crosby's. Of course, he concentrates on coal scoring, because it makes a lot of fun.
Why do the other player not shoot 500 times on net like Ovechkin?? They simply cannot, they cannot aim as good as Ovechkin from every position of the field, so they even dont try to shoot, like Crosby.
So I would say, stop hyping Crosby, that makes me sick, how the American world love the Kid Crosby. He is a Player with no big achievement, but big money and stupid nation behind his back...
I cannot understand that, i hope Ovechkin will be rewarded this season and will get the hart trophy.
Sandy Golden (Posted 2008-04-03 13:15:00)
Ovechkin is at best the third leading player in the league behind both Malkin and Crosby. Those two are much more rounded than he is. Ove is one dimensional - goal scorer - and his headhunting will catch up to him sooner or later. Remember Eric Lindros - same kind of player. Wanted to be the touch guy and the scorer. Ove is not even the best goal scorer in the league. He's a great goal scorer but not the best. There are several players who - if they also took 500 shots in a season, would be right there with him if not better (including Malkin, whose shooting percentage is significantly better). I just hope the Caps meet the Penguins in the playoffs - It will be over in 5 and Crosby will be smiling like the butcher's dog.
MuscleBob (Posted 2008-04-03 11:50:05)
Ovechkin has a combined total of 51 of those, including shootout goals. That leads the league by a comfortable margin and with a combined total of 90 points on those goals, he trails only Joe Thornton (106) and Pavel Datsyuk (100) in that department.
----
Could somebody explain how these points (Ovechkin 90, Thornton 106, Datsyuk 100) have been calculated?
Jon (Posted 2008-04-02 19:02:27)
i am very surprised at how little attention Ovechkin is getting for breaking the NHLs all-time record for goals in one season be a LW. With last nights tally he has 63, tying Luc Robitaille's record (http://couchpotatohockey.com/Records/Reg_Season_Ind_Records/Scoring_by_Left_Wing.asp) and Ovechkin can surely beat that, even with just two games left.
Andrew L. Hastings (Posted 2008-04-02 18:34:23)
Hey Bill and Tony, Boo Hoo about the refereeing. Every team including Washington has had their fair share of bad refereeing and, probably Carolina a little less than most. After all most of Carolina's goals are scored on the power play. Maybe Ovie doesn't deserve the Hart because his name isn't Crosby. So if he doesn't deserve the Hart if the Caps miss the playoffs then I guess Mike Gartner and Marcel Dionne don't deserve to be in the HOF because they didn't win cups. It's just crap! One more thing, I've been to several games in Raleigh and if you think Caps fans are ignorant about the game check out the Carolina fans sometime. Out.
Maxime (Posted 2008-04-02 15:39:56)
Hasn't anyone noticed yet? Nobody remembers when Ovie tried to behead Malkin, but Malkin, being the giant that he is, sent OV flying head first into the boards? Had it been any fourth liner trying to tackle Malkin like that, even if that 4th liner had gotten a concussion from eating boards, he would have gotten suspended for at least 10 games for trying to hurt Malkin...20 if he played for Philly...but hey...wait a sec...it was OVIE! Wow..well i guess it sure was a nice clean hit...Remember Kovalchuk? 1 game for trying to kill someone. People are still arguing about the Bergeron hit, some thinking it was an accident, and the guy got 20-25 games. Ovechkin can bring a gun to the ice if he wants : nobody will stop him, he won't even get 2 for it.
Maxime (Posted 2008-04-02 15:31:26)
Mr. Campbell, i am very happy that Lemieux, Bathgate and Rollins got their Hart when they did. But what you seem to forget, as do many NHL analysts and observers, is the the Hart trophy is meant to the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER TO HIS TEAM, not to the BEST PLAYER. If you are the best player, wherever your team finishes in the rankings, you can always take a run at the Art Ross. But how valuable are you to your team when it doesn't even make the playoffs? What organisation says : "This year's main objective is to finish just out of the playoffs!"
The Conn Smythe Trophy means "thanks man, without you, we wouldn't be holding that mother of all trophies". The Hart, if given to Ovechkin, if the team misses the playoffs, can only say "Without you, we basically suck and would probably be drafting Steven Stamkos next year, but thanks for putting us in the ninth spot man!"
Giving the Hart to a player who's team doesn't make the Spring tourney is a total slap in the face of every other player on the winner's team, but hey, that's my opinion...
Bob (Posted 2008-04-02 12:14:00)
Bill and Tony, I guess you resort to nasty comments about Ovie and Caps fans when you have no valid points to make.
Bill (Posted 2008-04-02 11:31:49)
I agree with Tony. The Canes should have played better, but that was a playoff game, the refs were pathetic. NHL HQ needs to be investigated, have seen these type of games (ref bad calls) too many times.
Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, the refs need to get their heads out of their you know what's (Ovechkin needs to be monitored, this guy is diving, leaving his feet on every hit, whinning and hitting well after the play - THIS IS NOT THE FACE OF THE NHL, if it is - every perosn in marketing should be fired!!!!! Craps fans, you have NO hockey knowledge - if you watched the game closely - Huet is diving and the Canes were pushed into him from behind TWICE and got called for the penalty. Noone wants to see "Craps" in the playoffs - I will not watch one playoff game - dirty players need to be watching the playoffs (ie Craps)
Tony (Posted 2008-04-02 11:13:46)
I have been involved with hockey for 40 years and never saw anything like last night. The refs must have gotten the memo from the pathetic NHL HQ to call nothing aganist Ovechkin last night (what a sad display of refereeing, Ovechkin is a joke). The guy leaves his feet on every hit and makes hits well after the whistle - Hey Patrick - what are you watching - Staal NEVER took liberties on the goaltender - Huet was DIVING - and nothing was called - and the Canes were pushed into the goalie on two plays and given penalites - watch the game idiot.
Ovechkin is the king of dirty play, the guy needs to shutup and stop whinning (he is becoming a Sidney Crosby). Ovechkins ugly face should not be the face of the NHL!
Patrick (Posted 2008-04-02 08:05:36)
I just watched Ovie go after Eric Staal at the end of a play when Alex thought Staal was taking liberties against his goaltender after the whistle. On some plays Ovechkin is the first guy back defensively and takes guys out - this is because the Caps play a high risk style especially on powerplay. If the players vote him for the Pearson Trophy (players MVP), and they will, then that speaks volumes in this debate. When I watch this guy I only compare him with Lemieux and Gretzky and Orr. If those guys are not palpable as MVP today when playing their best - then so be it.
Alsol (Posted 2008-04-02 06:33:31)
Hi.Ovechkin-Russian guy..,dont forget bout it..;-)..
And Malkin..;-),q Kovalchuk..;-)..And Russia has a lot of like Ovechkin.
Chris (Posted 2008-04-01 13:59:24)
Ovechkin wins the MVP HANDS DOWN, it is not even close. the man has scored 60+ goals, he never takes a shift off and he brings pure excitment to the game. It is truely a SHAME the NHL does not promote him more because he is 100 times better than Cinderella Crosby.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-04-01 10:01:16)
There's other guys who are deserving of consideration (Iginla, Lidstrom, Brodeur and Malkin in no particular order), but playoffs or no, Ovechkin should win. The other players mentioned have meant a ton to their teams, but only Brodeur is really close in terms of being the one player on his team who can't afford to get hurt. The other three are probably the most important players on their teams (some would say Crosby is more important than Malkin, but the Pens are first in the east without the Kid, would they be without Malkin?), but there are other top tier talents on their teams (Crosby, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Phaneuf, Kiprusoff). Ovechkin has guys on his team who might develop into top tier guys, but for now he is by far the best, most important player on his team. As Scai posted, Ovechkin is statistically dominant, and should be the Hart Trophy winner.
Bob M. (Posted 2008-04-01 09:45:54)
John of the beer-league comment - you have embarrassed yourself posting such an ignorant comment. Aside from the stats that others have mentioned, as a Capitals season ticket holder I can assure you that I've seen the whole package first-hand.
ken (Posted 2008-04-01 09:35:27)
Campbell, thanks for a great article. All valid points that the media needs to finally agree on and stop kidding themselves about. There is a reason for the Hart, as there is for the Conn Smythe. Anyone who has the opportunity to watch Ovechkin and the Caps play is in for a treat. His love for the game and fans make him the complete package.
Joe Gorski (Posted 2008-04-01 07:29:08)
Ovie is the king!! And could you imagine if Bettman adjusted the rules for his style of play ALA Sissy Crosby!!!
whatsthatsmell (Posted 2008-03-31 21:58:29)
Ovechkin all the way. There shouldn't even be any discussion about it.
brad (Posted 2008-03-31 20:19:29)
ovie definitly deserves it and i'm a pens fan hart pearson richard and art ross he deserves them all
Taylor (Posted 2008-03-31 19:17:26)
John who commented that Ovie was a "a one-way player...setting up his own plays" knows squat...he's +26 on the Caps this season..that alone deserves some award!! He's been punishing players against the boards forechecking since his first day, so much so that Don Cherry even made a point of saying that he will get injured playing so hard. Gimme a break, I can only think of a few players in Ov-1's league...you named 2 but this season is a no-brainer for anyone who watched some hockey, Scal's post puts that in perspective. Malkin deserves a mention though...
Brian (Posted 2008-03-31 18:53:23)
I have said since the day he was drafted, that Ovechkin is better than Crosby (gasp!!!) and he is... however, because of my allegiance to my team, I want Iginla to win MVP.. without him the Flames would have ten wins this year!
matt (Posted 2008-03-31 18:40:22)
He should get the Hart regardless if his team makes it or not. He has been by far the best player to play and watch this year. You think he is good now? I bet he will be even better when the games mean something.
Scai (Posted 2008-03-31 18:07:41)
From Mike Vogel of the Caps:
"Ovechkin leads the NHL with (through games of March 29):
* 430 shots on goal
* 109 points
* 73 even-strength points
* 62 goals
* 41 even-strength goals
* 40 late-game pressure points*
* 30 lead-changing goals
* 26 late-game pressure goals*
* 26 points in March
* 25 third-period goals
* 21 power play goals
* 20 go-ahead goals (tied)
* 17 first-period goals
* 14.2 shots on goal per 60 minutes
* 12 multiple-goal games (tied)
* 10 game-winning goals (tied)
* 7 late-game pressure game-winning goals*
* 5 game-winning goals scored in the third period (tied)
* 3 hat tricks (tied)
* 2.03 goals per 60 minutes
* 2 four-goal games
* “late-game pressure” is defined as the third period or overtime of games when the score differential is two or fewer goals"
http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=358685
james boston (Posted 2008-03-31 16:07:55)
Everbody knows that Ovechkin is the real deal.He can do everything.But in saying that,the Caps still have to make it to the play-offs for him to win the Hart.He wins the Lester B. Pearson hands down.Why?Because theres no politics behind that award.The Hart is about politics.The LBP is pure.Another thing about the Capitals.They would have had more points if Boedreau had stopped putting Kolzig in net.Huet has been a god-send,and yet he still puts Kolzig in.I dont understand that.If they dont make it in,look no further than their coach and his "loyalty" to Kolzig.
Alena (Posted 2008-03-31 16:01:17)
"...a forward who has worked to improve their game to do what it takes for the team to succeed." I think this pretty much sums Ovechkin. Not only has Alex shown incredible talent on the ice and has helped carry his team close to the playoffs, but he has also increased interest in the NHL and the Caps as a team. I wonder just how many fans have begun to watch the playoff race more closely with the Caps' current record. If you ask me, Ovechkin is the real deal. This kid's got talent and an incredible personality. He deserves to be named MVP because of everything he does on and off the ice.
Bradley (Posted 2008-03-31 15:45:02)
I don't see how you can call ovechkin's passing skills "beer-league," unless you've never seen him play. Go back and watch the highlights of the 3/3/08 Caps-Bruins game, Ovechkin's homerun pass to Backstrom (returning the favor on Backstrom's earlier pass to Ovechkin) is hardly "beer-league."
As for the Caps having no shot at the Cup with Ovechkin, that's only if they don't make the playoffs. If they can squeak in (and there are maybe 3 or 4 ways still that that could happen if things work out right), then they're going to be a force to be reckoned with. If you look at the Capitals pace under Boudreau, and if you were to extrapolate that over 79 games (what they've already played), they'd have something like 102 points, fighting for first in the East. They have been, without exaggeration, one of the best teams in the league under their current coach, and I don't think that's something that can be overlooked too easily. I'm not saying I expect them to win it or anything, but the way they've been fighting so hard, they're going to be far from a pushover if they do manage to get in.
brian (Posted 2008-03-31 15:28:54)
John is crazy calling Ovie passes beer league. He musy watch games drunk.Ovie is plus 28 0r something. Ovie is the real deal. The caps get no respect. They will win a cup in the next 3 years.
John (Posted 2008-03-31 15:20:48)
Should a one-way player with beer-league passing skills whose only concern on the ice is setting up his own plays really be considered most valuable? Watch guys like Datsuk, Iginla, Alfredsson, etc and their attention on both ends. This award should go to Nabakov or Lidstrom or a forward who has worked to improve their game to do what it takes for the team to succeed.
John (Posted 2008-03-31 14:37:33)
Who else in the league this year can honestly raise their hand and say that they've been more instrumental to their team's success than Ovechkin? Anyone?
To have brought the team from the brink of the abyss all the way back into 9th place clawing at 8th is remarkable. I seem to remember hearing that no team has ever come back from so far down in the standings to make the playoffs. That still may not happen, with the way Boston, Philly, and Carolina are playing, but without Ovechkin's play, there is no doubt that the Caps would not be where they are today without him.
Not only to the team on the ice, but the city of DC. This kid has come to town and resurrected the excitement of the game. Now that the team is actually playing well, the building is selling out, and he sells tickets to games around the league. There is no one in the league more important than Ovechkin.
matt (Posted 2008-03-31 14:20:03)
Without Ovechkin in the lineup Washington would have zero chance to win the Stanley Cup, oh yeah with him in the lineup they have zero chance to win the Stanley Cup. Unless they make the playoffs he's not winning it.
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"There's no greater honor, no greater feeling than standing on that blueline with your teammates representing this country. I'll remember this the rest of my life."
- Canada's John Tavares after winning the country's fifth straight World Junior Championship gold medal.
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