Alexander Ovechkin
I don't think I've mentioned this, but I went to a number of Caps games over winter break, and it's such a joy to watch Alexander Ovechkin. This kid is so incredibly good. It bugs the hell out of me when people who haven't watched much at all of him say Crosby should be the Rookie of the Year because he has this intangible it. I remember some writer on CNNSI or CBS Sportsline wrote that and I've seen it repeated elsewhere. If Ovechkin doesn't have it, nobody does. He plays hard, he checks hard, he has amazing puck handling, an awesome shot, great passing, great teammate, nice guy. He is one of the best players to ever play for one of my favorite teams.
And all this makes me really depressed to see him surrounded by a bunch of losers. This kid is a gem, and yet they aren't surrounding him with the talent that he deserves. The NHL deserves to see what he can do with people on his line other than Chris Clark (no, you shouldn't know who that is). The Capitals are supposedly in "rebuilding" mode this year, but that's BS. Their owner Ted Leonsis, who I always used to like, has basically punted the season, with the goal of just spending as little money as possible. I can see wanting to build a team from the bottom, but that's not what the Caps are doing. See, if you're rebuilding, you send out young guys to the ice. But that's not what the Caps do. They send out a bunch of 27-33 year old fringe players who have never made it in the NHL and never will. They aren't the future of the franchise. They're just bums. And then there's Ovechkin. He's not the part of any rebuilding plan. He's too damn good. He's one of the best players in the NHL already. He elevates the entire team. He doesn't need to gain experience in the NHL. So in the offseason, I really, really, really hope Leonsis opens up the checkbook and adds just two players. He doesn't need to go out and build a contender. But at the very least sign two high skilled players to stick on the line with Alexander so that we can see just how good he can be. He more than deserves it.
And all this makes me really depressed to see him surrounded by a bunch of losers. This kid is a gem, and yet they aren't surrounding him with the talent that he deserves. The NHL deserves to see what he can do with people on his line other than Chris Clark (no, you shouldn't know who that is). The Capitals are supposedly in "rebuilding" mode this year, but that's BS. Their owner Ted Leonsis, who I always used to like, has basically punted the season, with the goal of just spending as little money as possible. I can see wanting to build a team from the bottom, but that's not what the Caps are doing. See, if you're rebuilding, you send out young guys to the ice. But that's not what the Caps do. They send out a bunch of 27-33 year old fringe players who have never made it in the NHL and never will. They aren't the future of the franchise. They're just bums. And then there's Ovechkin. He's not the part of any rebuilding plan. He's too damn good. He's one of the best players in the NHL already. He elevates the entire team. He doesn't need to gain experience in the NHL. So in the offseason, I really, really, really hope Leonsis opens up the checkbook and adds just two players. He doesn't need to go out and build a contender. But at the very least sign two high skilled players to stick on the line with Alexander so that we can see just how good he can be. He more than deserves it.
posted by Todd Martin at 10:30 PM
7 Comments:
I haven't been able to see him play a full game yet, but he looks amazing in the highlights. It's been a long time since I've seen a rookie dominate the way he has.
Todd - You picked the right time to pimp Ovechkin. Did you see the last goal against Phoenix today (Monday)? Few humans have the ability to even consider taking that shot -flat on his back, stick curled over his head - and this kid pulls off scoring on the play. Incredible.
In a sports world saturated with NBA worship/highlights, the NHL with players like Ovechkin continues to impress on daily basis. I wish more U.S. sports fans would wake up and smell the pucks.
You aren't kidding. That was freaking amazing.
It's cool to know that you have blog Todd. I really look forward to anything you write on the Observer; it's usually the best stuff on the site.
Your take on Ovechkin is money as well. I hate Sidney Crosby, I just hate him. He some how seems to have the combined "champions spirit" of Vince Carter and flopping soccer player trying draw a card. If Ovechkin was North American, he'd be even bigger than Sidney Crosby.
The kid is off the meatrack with skill.
I think more than a few people hate Crosby for no real reason, and if that lottery ball came up for their team, they wouldn't hate him.
I like Ovechkin. I dont know who the better player is, but Crosby is two years younger. And to think, The Penguins almost grabbed both of these guys...
By the way, I'm a Penguins fan. Go Pens Go.
Oh no! Steve, tell me it ain't so. I HATE HATE HATE the Penguins. Some of my most unhappy childhood memories are going out to the Cap Center to watch the Penguins beat the Caps in the playoffs again. 2-0 lead....we can't blow this one. 3-1 lead...no way we screw it up again. Argh. Lousy jerks. BaaaaarASSSSSSooooo.....
Haha. The Pens and Caps have had some great battles in the playoffs. Its sad that it'll be a while before we see it happening again.
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