Ovechkin, MVP

by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2009 11:56 AM EST

This week has been such a rollercoaster - Alex hurt (or not), Alex tried, convicted, and sentenced on one count of tawdry second-degree goonery, Caps prevail @ Carolina, Caps up big against the Panthers, Caps up huge against the Flyers.

All part and parcel of being a fan of a truly elite hockey club, I suppose.

But a funny thing happened for Alex Ovechkin as he limped his way into the League penalty box. He kept emerging as the one player the League (as well as the business and sport of hockey) simply could not do without.

Consider:

Even as he languished in Durance Vile throughout the week, the NHL honored him at the Habs' 100th anniversary gala (with clips of his All-Star Game antics) in their official ceremony-opening video, and also by inviting him to tape a personal greeting that played on the jumbotron at Centre Bell. (I am still looking for video of that greeting, BTW. We're told that it was not shown on teevee so I'm hoping someone who was there filmed it.)
Even as the battle over Ovi's suspension raged throughout the establishment hockey press and new media chatterati, the proponents of every view realized full well that the Ovechkin brand brings eyeballs and passion. NHL.com ran daily, sometimes hourly updates and multiple reaction stories. The somnolent Sports Illustrated roused itself from its hockey slumbers to write that breathtakingly dissembling character assassination piece, and doubtless their traffic skyrocketed by an order or three of magnitude. (Not from me, however. I wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. And Nate's factchecking and Ted Leonsis' subsequent invitation to the author were simply brilliant. Well played, sirs!)
Even as Alex gamely practiced in his orange jersey and steeled himself for another night of penance in the press box, the League nearly tripped over itself in its haste to post the video of "The Making of the Men's Health Journal Magazine Shoot." That was the point where Alex's Week of Shame™ officially descended into parody.

(In late-breaking news, the NHL welcomes the return of its prodigal son with even more coverage of his magazine spread...)

And through all the turmoil, his teammates kept their heads, kept their senses of humor, and kept on methodically steamrollering their opponents. There is no question that Alex still reigns as the NHL's Most Valuable Player, but he may yet have to work his way back into being the MVP of his own team.

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Good analysis!

FЯEED ALEX! NOW LOOK OUT, NHL!

by IRockTheRed on Dec 7, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions

That last sentence may be while he won’t win the Hart this year. The other players are starting to break out of their shells… the same reason Crosby, Malkin, and Thornton probably won’t win it (just my opinion though).

No doubt Ovie will be in the final three, but I’m putting my $ on Gaborik or Kopitar.

I know it’s too early to tell, but does anyone think Green might be a challange for the Norris again? The other two finalists from last year don’t seem to be doing quite as well (although the +/- might be the fault of their offense).

by Brainumbc on Dec 8, 2009 9:18 AM EST reply actions

Pronger I thought would be a lock finalist until Philly’s slump…I’d put my money on Green, Pronger, and Kaberle. Lidstrom maybe instead of one of those last two.

by red army line on Dec 8, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

We’re told that it was not shown on teevee so I’m hoping someone who was there filmed it

Try emailing to Nate Ewell, Mike Vogel and Brett Leonhardt. Perhaps it can be posted on Caps 360.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Dec 8, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions

I think the Caps made a point w/out AO. They played great and walooped a few teams, and although they were bad teams, the Caps got it done easily. That kinda makes a point for him not being the MVP.

He is easily the best player, maybe not the MVP though. We’ll have to see how he does for the rest of the season.

by hockeyman33 on Dec 8, 2009 5:21 PM EST reply actions

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